SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Nearly a month after Bryant (11-15, 5-3 America East) spoiled the Binghamton volleyball team's Homecoming Weekend with a five-set win in the West Gym, the Bearcats (12-9, 3-4 America East) returned the favor with a five-set victory against the Bulldogs Sunday at the Chace Athletic Center. Binghamton won the match 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25 and 17-15.
In her first match in three weeks,
Viktoria Dimitrova led the Bearcats with 20 kills, while
Magi Milicevic added 16.
Regan Kadel recorded 54 assists and 12 digs for the second time in three matches, making it her sixth double-double of the season.
Hannah Olmstead also had a match-high seven blocks, and
Celeste Ocampo put up 27 digs.
With all five sets decided by three points or less, there was not a lot of room for error for either team. In the opening set, Binghamton used an early 5-0 run to take an 8-5 lead. The Bearcats eventually went up 14-11, before the Bulldogs scored the next four points to retake the lead at 15-14. Binghamton quickly jumped back ahead by taking the next three points, before both teams went back-and-forth trading the lead. Eventually, Bryant built up a three-point cushion at 23-20, before taking the opening frame.
Binghamton took the first three points in the second set, eventually going up 6-4, before a 4-0 run by Bryant gave the Bulldogs the lead. Much like the first set, the two teams traded the lead, only this time, it was Binghamton that took a 23-20 lead late. While the Bulldogs got within one at 24-23,
Maya Coblentz-Brown picked up a kill to help the Bearcats tie the match at 1-1.
The Bearcats countered the Bulldogs' 3-0 run to start the third set by taking the next four points. However, Bryant eventually went up 11-6. Binghamton kept close with Bryant, trailing 15-14 before using a 3-0 run to jump ahead. The Bulldogs responded by taking three of the next four points to tie the set at 18. Looking to break the deadlock, the Bearcats took five of the next six points to go ahead 23-19, with Dimitrova picking up three kills during that stretch. Once again, it was a kill from Coblentz-Brown that helped the Bearcats obtain set point, as Binghamton went ahead in the match 2-1.
The fourth set had Binghamton hold a 10-7 lead, before Bryant scored six of the next seven points to grab a 13-11 lead. Binghamton fought back to tie the set at 15. Later in the frame, with Binghamton trailing 17-16, the Bearcats scored five of the next seven points to move ahead 21-19. With match point in sight, Binghamton was unable to finish the match, as Byrant took six of the final eight points to win the frame and take the match to a fifth set.
As the two teams had done all afternoon, the programs went back-and-forth in the final set, with neither team holding a lead greater than two points in the last frame. Both programs would fight to a 15-15 tie. A service error from the Bulldogs put the Bearcats back in front 16-15, with match point within their grasp. After a long rally, Milicevic closed out the contest with her final kill of the day, giving Binghamton the victory.
With three matches remaining in the regular season, Binghamton next travels to face UAlbany at 6 p.m., on Friday at PE Gym.
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.
