VESTAL, N.Y. – For the first time this season, the Binghamton volleyball team hits the road as the Bearcats compete at Army's Black Knight Invitational from Friday through Sunday at Gillis Field House.
 
Binghamton begins its weekend by playing Rider at 3 p.m. On Saturday at 6 p.m., the Bearcats face Hofstra for the second time in less than a week. Finally, Binghamton goes against Army on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
SCOUTING RIDER

• The Broncs are 1-1 on the season, splitting its two matches at the Salt City Classic from Aug. 29-30. Rider defeated Le Moyne 3-1 before falling to Syracuse 3-1.
• Binghamton leads the all-time series 3-1, winning the last two matches.
• In the last match on Sept. 10, 2022, the Bearcats defeated the Broncs in straight sets at the Georgetown Invitational.

 
SCOUTING HOFSTRA

• The Pride defeated the Bearcats in its season opener 3-0 on Aug. 31 at the Events Center.
• With Hofstra's victory on Sunday, the all-time series is tied at three matches apiece.

 
SCOUTING ARMY

• The Black Knights opened their season by going 2-1 at the Summit Hospitality Tournament the prior weekend. After falling to NC State in straight sets, Army bounced back by defeating Akron 3-0 and Green Bay 3-2.
• Army has won all four of its matches against Binghamton throughout its history.
• The last time Army and Binghamton faced each other was on Sept. 13, 2019 at the Black Knight Invitational. Army won the match in straight sets.

 
BACK ON THE COURT
The Bearcats return to the court after opening their season with four matches in three days at the Events Center. Binghamton first hosted the Bearcat Classic, falling to Fordham 3-2, UConn 3-2 and Lehigh 3-0. The Bearcats completed their weekend by hosting Hofstra on Sunday, Aug. 31, with the Pride winning the match in straight sets.
 
A NOTABLE DEBUT
In her first series of matches in a Binghamton uniform, freshman middle blocker Hannah Olmstead was selected to the Bearcat Classic 's All-Tournament Team. In three matches, Olmstead posted 20 kills, 10 block assists and three digs. The native of Victor, N.Y., followed that up with two kills and one block assist against Hofstra. Olmstead leads the Bearcats in block assists with 11.
 
CAPTAINS STAND UP
Binghamton team captains Emily Cronkhite and Merima Smajlovic both got off to a strong start to the season Smajlovic leads the Bearcats in both kills (51) and points (57.5). In her Binghamton debut, Smajlovic recorded 28 digs against Fordham, the most for any America East Conference player this season. The Seattle transfer ranks second on the team in digs with 48.
 
In front of her in that category is Cronkhite. She leads the Bearcats with 51 digs, while also posting a team-high 3.40 digs per set.
 
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