VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton volleyball team (8-6, 0-2 America East) took Bryant (8-12, 2-1 America East) to an extended fifth set before falling 3-2 Saturday at the West Gym. Bryant prevailed 25-21, 18-25, 25-23, 20-25 and 16-14.
Viktoria Dimitrova and Maya Cobletnz-Brown each put up 16 kills, with Coblentz-Brown's total matching her season high.
Eve Roman, in her first match since being named Defensive Player of the Week by the America East last Tuesday, put up 23 digs, making it the third match in a row where she recorded at least 21.
Francesca Pierdonati led all players with eight blocks, while
Sydney Geselbracht had a career-high seven. Additionally,
Regan Kadel added 46 assists.
Binghamton overcame an early 5-1 deficit in the opening set to eventually take the lead at 9-8. Both teams traded points throughout the set, before Bryant used a 5-0 run to move ahead 20-15. Binghamton scored the next three points to bring it to 20-18, but Bryant ultimately pulled away to take the first set 25-21.
The two teams exchanged the lead early and often in the second. There were ultimately five lead changes in the frame, the most out of any set in the match. With Binghamton trailing 14-12, the Bearcats scored the next seven points to take the lead 19-14.
Magi Milicevic picked up two of her 12 kills during that stretch. After Bryant got within three points at 20-17, Binghamton closed out the set by scoring five of the final six points to tie the match 1-1.
In the third set, Bryant held control with a 17-14 lead. Four straight points from the Bearcats, however, put Binghamton ahead 18-17. The Bulldogs responded with a 4-2 run to retake the lead at 21-20. The Bearcats then scored three points in a row to move back ahead 23-21. But it was Bryant who closed out the frame by taking the final four points to win the set, jumping back ahead in the match 2-1.
The two teams raced out to a 7-7 tie in the fourth set. Needing to win the frame to extend the match, Binghamton regained its momentum with a 5-1 run to hold a 12-8 lead, helped in part by four attack errors from Bryant. Eventually, with Binghamton holding a 14-13 lead, Milicevic picked up a kill in three of the next five points during a 6-1 run for the Bearcats. Binghamton stayed ahead for the remainder of the frame, taking it 25-20 to force a fifth set.
Binghamton entered the final set looking to extend its unbeaten record in five-set matches this season to 5-0. Both teams split the first eight points of the set, before Binghamton scored three of the next four to move ahead 7-5. But Bryant responded with a 4-0 run to take the lead at 9-7. Binghamton fought back by scoring three of the next four points to tie the set 10-10. Bryant countered by taking four of the next six points. Trailing 14-12, Pierdonati helped pick up two straight blocks for the Bearcats to tie the set at 14. Ultimately, however, it was Bryant who prevailed by taking the final two points to win the match.
Binghamton wraps up its three-match homestand with a pair of contests in the West Gym next weekend. First, the Bearcats host UMBC on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Fans attending the event are encouraged to wear pink as part of Binghamton's Dig Pink Match to raise awareness of breast cancer. Admission to all of Binghamton's home matches this season is free on behalf of
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP.
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.
