VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton volleyball team's three-match winning streak came to an end Sunday, as the Bearcats (11-8, 2-4 America East) fell to New Hampshire (14-6, 4-2 America East) in five sets in the West Gym. Binghamton fell 25-21, 25-12, 21-25, 28-30 and 10-15.
Regan Kadel recorded her second double-double in as many matches and fifth of the year by putting up a season-high 54 assists to go along with 12 digs, while
Maya Coblentz-Brown and
Magi Milicevic each led Binghamton with 14 kills.
Hannah Olmstead also had 12 kills and eight blocks, and
Celeste Ocampo put up a career-high 32 digs.
Much like the prior contest between the two programs back on Sept. 27, Sunday's bout was another close match. In the first set, New Hampshire broke an 8-8 tie with a 4-0 run to go up 12-8. Binghamton countered with a 5-1 run to tie the set at 13. Both teams remained within striking distance of each other, as Binghamton eventually grabbed a 22-21 lead. The Bearcats then closed out the frame with three straight kills, courtesy of Olmstead,
Francesca Pierdonati, and Coblentz-Brown, to win the first set.
Binghamton then seized more momentum in the second set, jumping out to a 6-0 lead. While New Hampshire got within one point at 8-7, the Bearcats scored six straight points to extend their lead to 14-7. Binghamton then finished the set with an 11-5 run to bring its lead in the match to 2-0.
New Hampshire responded by scoring five of the first seven points in the third set. Binghamton countered with three straight to tie the frame at five. With the two teams eventually reaching another tie at 14-14, UNH scored five-straight points to give itself a 19-14 cushion. Binghamton got back within three points at 24-21, but New Hampshire took set point to extend the match.
The fourth set would be the most intensely battled between both teams, as the frame had 15 tie scores and seven lead changes. Eventually, UNH held a 24-23 lead with set point within reach. But a kill by Pierdonati continued the set for Binghamton with a kill. As the frame continued, Binghamton played for match point on four different occasions, but was unable to finish the match. Ultimately, New Hampshire came back from a 28-27 deficit by scoring the final three points to win the set.
In the fifth set, Binghamton was able to grab a 7-5 lead against UNH. But the Wildcats used a 7-0 run to put themselves close to match point. While Binghamton tried to put up one more comeback, New Hampshire ultimately took the final set to take the match.
The Bearcats head back out on the road this week for their final non-conference match of the regular season, as Binghamton face Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y., at 6 p.m., on Wednesday.
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.
