VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton volleyball team announced its schedule for the 2026 season Tuesday.
 
Binghamton will play in 24 matches, including eight in the West Gym. The Bearcats will also host the Binghamton Invitational from Sept. 10-12, with Cornell, New Haven and Temple also competing. Admission to all of Binghamton's home matches is free on behalf of Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP.
 
It all leads up to the America East Volleyball Championship, which takes place from either Nov. 20-21 or Nov. 21-22 on the campus of the tournament's number one seed. The Bearcats are looking to qualify for the America East Volleyball Championship for the fifth year in a row in 2026. If Binghamton qualifies, it would be the first time the Bearcats have reached the America East Volleyball Championship in five straight years since they qualified for the tournament in six consecutive years from 2004-09.
 
"We're really excited about the schedule we've put together for this fall," said Binghamton Head Volleyball Coach Allie Yaeger. "It gives us the chance to see a lot of different opponents, play in some great environments, and challenge ourselves before America East play begins. Every match on the schedule is an opportunity to learn, grow, and prepare for what's ahead. We added six new faces to our roster this year and, despite still being a young team with no seniors, we're excited about the experience and chemistry this group brings back. We're looking forward to seeing how this team continues to grow throughout the season."
 
The Bearcats begin the season by playing in four different tournaments. The first is hosted by reigning Mid-American Conference champion Toledo, which is held from Aug. 28-29. Binghamton opens the year with matches against Bradley and Oakland at 10 a.m., and 2:30 p.m., on Aug. 28. Then, Binghamton faces Toledo at noon on Aug. 29.
 
Next, Binghamton travels to Fairfield, Conn., for Sacred Heart's tournament, which is being held from Sept. 4-5. The Bearcats first face Central Connecticut State at 3 p.m., on Sept. 4, followed by Sacred Heart later that day at 6 p.m. Binghamton closes out its appearance in the tournament by taking on Le Moyne at 1 p.m., on Sept. 5.
 
The following week, the Bearcats host the latest installment of the Binghamton Invitational. Binghamton's first match is against Temple at 7 p.m., on Sept. 10. The next day, the Bearcats face Cornell at 6 p.m. Binghamton's last match for the invitational is against New Haven at 1 p.m., on Sept. 12.
 
The final regular season tournament for the Bearcats is Dartmouth's tournament, which takes place from Sept. 18-20 in Hanover, N.H. Binghamton plays Dartmouth at 3 p.m., on Sept. 18, then Boston College at 3 p.m., on Sept. 19 and Quinnipiac at noon on Sept. 20.
 
Binghamton turns its attention to conference play by first playing New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., on Sept. 27. The Bearcats then enjoy a three-match homestand by first facing Bryant on Oct. 3 as part of Homecoming. Following that is Binghamton's first match of the season against defending America East champion UMBC on Oct. 9. Closing out the homestand is a match against UAlbany on Oct. 11.
 
Going back out on the road, Binghamton plays NJIT on Oct. 16. Four days later, the Bearcats return to New Jersey for a non-conference bout against Fairleigh Dickinson on Oct. 20. It will be the first time the Bearcats face FDU since 2023.
 
Binghamton returns home to host New Hampshire on Oct. 25. Later that week, the Bearcats start a stretch of three road matches in a row by traveling up to Hamilton, N.Y., to face Colgate on Oct. 28. Following that are matches at Bryant on Nov. 1 and UAlbany on Nov. 6.
 
Binghamton's final home match of the regular season is on Nov. 8 against NJIT. The following week, the Bearcats play in their regular season finale at UMBC on Nov. 15.
 
The Bearcats went 6-4 in America East play and 12-14 overall to reach the postseason in 2025. Viktoria Dimitrova, one of Binghamton's returners for 2026, received First Team All-Conference honors from the America East that year.
 
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.