EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Binghamton volleyball team kept it close with power conference opponent Michigan State Thursday before falling in straight sets Thursday in the first match of the Kathy DeBoer Invitational at Jenison Field House. The loss snaps a three-match winning streak for Binghamton.
 
The Bearcats were defeated by the Spartans 32-30, 25-12 and 25-23. Reigning America East Conference Player of the Week Merima Smajlovic led the Bearcats with 13 kills, while Emily Cronkhite posted 15 digs. Alexandra Koleva also added 15 assists for Binghamton.
 
Early on, Binghamton showed that it could compete with its competitor from the Big Ten Conference. In the first set, the Bearcats kept within striking distance of the undefeated Spartans, holding an 18-15 lead at one point. Then, with Binghamton trailing 24-23, Smajlovic picked up one of her seven kills in the frame to extend the set. The two teams then went back and forth to bring the score up to a tie at 30, before the Spartans scored two points in a row to take the opening set.
 
In the second set, Michigan State hit .480 as a team to take the frame 25-12 and extend its lead to 2-0. However, Binghamton countered the loss by going up 19-12 in the third set. During that stretch, Smajlovic had another five kills, while Briana Binagi added three. But Michigan State reeled in Binghamton with a 7-1 run to tie the set at 21. The Spartans then closed out the match by scoring four of the final six points to secure the victory.
 
Binghamton continues its run at the Kathy DeBoer Invitational by playing Southern Illinois Edwardsville Friday at 3 p.m.
 
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.