TOLEDO, Ohio – The Binghamton volleyball team (0-2) began its 2026 season by falling to both Bradley (1-0) and Oakland (1-0) in straight sets Friday during Toledo's Rocket Invitational at Savage Arena. Binghamton was first defeated by Bradley 19-25, 12-25, and 20-25, before losing to Oakland 21-25, 19-25, and 23-25.
Between the two matches,
Viktoria Dimitrova led the Bearcats with 20 kills, while
Maya Coblentz-Brown added 13. In her first appearances as a Bearcat,
Magi Milicevic also put up a combined 10 kills.
Regan Kadel recorded a total of 28 assists Friday, while
Maia Marin had 22 in her first two collegiate matches. On defense,
Celeste Ocampo had 32 digs.
Match One vs. Bradley
The opening set of the season began as a back-and-forth battle between the Bearcats and the Braves. Binghamton ultimately took a 15-14 lead into the media timeout, with Dimitrova recording five kills during that stretch. However, Bradley countered with four straight points out of the break to move ahead 18-15. The Bearcats scored the next two points to bring it to an 18-17 deficit, but the Braves closed out the set on a 7-2 run to win the opening frame.
In the second set, Bradley took the first three points and never gave up the lead. Binghamton never got back within one point, as Bradley ultimately won the set 25-12.
Trying to complete a reverse sweep, Binghamton jumped ahead 7-4 in the third set, forcing Bradley to call a timeout. The Braves slowly closed the gap, eventually going on a 9-3 run to pull ahead 17-14. Just like in the first set, the Bearcats got within one point at 18-17, but Bradley pulled away with a 7-3 run to sweep the match.
Match Two vs. Oakland
Oakland started the match by going up 4-0. Binghamton stayed within striking distance, eventually trailing 20-17 late in the set. The Golden Grizzlies then scored four consecutive points to bring themselves on the verge of set point. Down 24-17, Binghamton responded with four straight points to make it 24-21. But Oakland ultimately obtained set point to win the first frame 25-21.
In the second set, Oakland broke a 4-4 tie and held on to the lead for the remainder of the set to win 25-19 and extend its lead to 2-0.
The third set featured Binghamton overcoming a 14-10 deficit to tie the set at 16. After Oakland retook the lead at 19-16, Binghamton fought back to tie the frame up at 21. The Golden Grizzlies then scored the next three points to bring up match point at 24-21. The Bearcats stayed in the contest thanks to a kill by
Sophia Christoffers and an attack error by the Golden Grizzlies to make it 24-23. However, Oakland ended the match with a kill to win the competition.
Up Next
Binghamton closes out its appearance in the Rocket Invitational by taking on 2025 Mid-American Conference tournament champion Toledo at noon on Saturday.
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.
