VESTAL, N.Y. – Following an undefeated showing at the Binghamton Invitational last weekend, the Binghamton volleyball team has been rewarded with two weekly honors from the America East Conference, the league announced Tuesday.
 
Merima Smajlovic was selected as the Player of the Week, while for the second time in as many weeks, Maya Coblentz-Brown was chosen as the Rookie of the Week. Coblentz-Brown becomes the fourth Bearcat to be named Rookie of the Week in at least two occasions during one season, following Viktoria Dimitrova (twice in 2024), Ella Schabort (twice in 2023) and Giulia Bonifacio (seven times in 2022). She is also the first Binghamton player to be named Rookie of the Week in consecutive weeks since Bonifacio took home the honor on both Nov. 8 and 15 of 2022.
 
Both players played a crucial role in helping the Bearcats win all three of their matches at the Binghamton Invitational. At the Events Center, Binghamton first defeated both Mercyhurst and Canisius in straight sets on Sept. 12. Then on Sept. 13, the Bearcats beat Bucknell in a thrilling five-set match. Both players, along with Alexandra Koleva, were selected for the invitational's all-tournament team, with Smajlovic being named Most Outstanding Player.
 
Smajlovic is the first Bearcat to be named Player of the Week by the America East since Tsvetelina Ilieva received the honor on Nov. 12, 2024. In 11 sets played over the course of Binghamton's three matches at the tournament, Smajlovic recorded a combined 46 kills, 31 digs, six total blocks and four service aces. The outside hitter ranks third in the America East in both kills per set (3.68) and points per set (4.09) and fourth in digs per set (3.11).
 
Coblentz-Brown followed making the Black Knight Invitational's All-Tournament Team with another string of strong performances. The right side hitter put up 32 kills, nine total blocks, seven digs and one assist throughout Binghamton's three matches. Like Smajlovic, Coblentz-Brown also ranks in the top 10 in several categories among America East players. The freshman is sixth in the league in kills per set (2.81), seventh in hitting percentage (.290) and eighth in points per set (3.08).
 
Binghamton is preparing to play in its final tournament of the regular season, which is Michigan State's Kathy DeBoer Invitational. The four-team event goes from Thursday through Saturday at Jenison Field House. The Bearcats first face Michigan State on Thursday at 6 p.m., followed by Southern Illinois Edwardsville on Friday at 3 p.m., and Bowling Green on Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.