ALBANY, N.Y. – The Binghamton volleyball team was defeated by UAlbany in straight sets Friday at PE Gym in both programs' America East Conference opener.
 
The Great Danes defeated the Bearcats 28-26, 25-17 and 25-20. Merima Smajlovic led Binghamton with a double double, her eighth of the season, posting 11 kills and 11 digs. Viktoria Dimitrova had a team-high 12 kills, while Maya Coblentz-Brown added 10. Alexandra Koleva also led Binghamton with 26 assists, her most in a match in nearly two weeks when she put up a season-high 37 in the Bearcats' 3-2 win over Bucknell on Sept. 13 at the Binghamton Invitational.
 
The Bearcats got out to a strong start in the opening set, holding a 20-15 lead. After UAlbnay cut it down to 20-19, Binghamton put up the next three points, with both Dimitrova and Smajlovic getting a kill. The Bearcats ultimately grabbed a 24-21 advantage with the set point in sight. However, the Great Danes scored the next four points to move ahead 25-24. An attack error by UAlbany extended the set further. After each team traded a point, UAlbany closed out the set by scoring the final two to win the frame.
 
Binghamton looked to bounce back in the second set, with the Bearcats pulling ahead 12-8. The Great Danes responded with a 6-0 run to take the lead and never looked back, winning the second set. UAlbany then hit .457 as a team in the third set to ultimately sweep the Bearcats.
 
Binghamton returns home to host Colgate on Tuesday at 6 p.m., at the Events Center. As part of the match, Binghamton is celebrating Throwback Tuesday. Throughout the match, music from the 1990s will be played along with 1990s-themed graphics on the scoreboard. Admission is free on behalf of Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP.
 
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.