VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton volleyball team (0-3) continues the early portion of its season by traveling to Fairfield, Conn., this weekend to compete in the Sacred Heart Invitational at Sacred Heart University's William H. Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center.
The Bearcats first play Central Connecticut State (1-2) at 3 p.m., on Friday, followed by matches against Sacred Heart (1-2) and Le Moyne (0-3) at noon and 4 p.m., respectively on Saturday.
LAST TIME ON THE COURT
Binghamton looks to get into the win column after losing its first three matches of the year at Toledo's Rocket Invitational last weekend. The Bearcats fell to Bradley, Oakland and Toledo in straight sets.
Viktoria Dimitrova finished the tournament with a team-high 26 kills, averaging 3.22 per set. Fellow Bulgarian
Magi Milicevic, who made her Binghamton debut during the invitational, put up 17 kills to average 1.89 per frame.
Meanwhile, both
Regan Kadel and
Maia Marin nearly finished tied for the team lead in assists. Kadel recorded 30 in seven sets for an average of 4.29 per set. Marin, who made her collegiate debut, posted 29 over all nine sets to finish with an average of 3.22.
On defense,
Celeste Ocampo had at least 13 digs in each of Binghamton's three matches, including a career-high 19 against Oakland.
Hannah Olmstead also finished the weekend with a team-leading eight blocks, while Dimitrova had six.
MORE ON CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE
Friday is the ninth time that Binghamton will face Central Connecticut State. The all-time series is tied at four matches apiece dating back to 2001. The Bearcats have won the last three matches, each in straight sets, including the most recent meeting back on Sept. 6, 2024.
Central Connecticut State went 1-2 in its home tournament last weekend, defeating Holy Cross 3-2 before falling to Siena 3-0 and Rhode Island 3-1. Olivia Keckler leads the team at 3.92 with a total of 47 over 12 sets played. Annabelle Denommé, meanwhile, has 50 digs for an average of 4.17 per frame.
MORE ON SACRED HEART
Sacred Heart leads the all-time series against Binghamton 2-1. After Binghamton won the opening match 3-0 on Sept. 17, 2000, Sacred Heart took the next two. The Pioneers won 3-0 on Sept. 4, 2010, and 3-1 on Sept. 15, 2018.
To begin its season, Sacred Heart competed at Army's Black Knight Invitational last weekend, going 1-2. The Pioneers were defeated by Army 3-1 before beating UAlbany in straight sets. To close out the invitational, Sacred Heart was defeated by Iowa in straight sets. Lauren Hubert has a team-leading 48 kills for a program-best average of 4.80 per set. Abbie Hagedorn, meanwhile, has 35 kills for an average of 3.50. Addy Franz also posted 88 assists for an average of 8.80.
MORE ON LE MOYNE
Saturday is the third time in the last four seasons Binghamton faces Le Moyne and the seventh overall. Binghamton leads the all-time series dating back to 1998 5-1, having won the last four matches.
Le Moyne lost all three of its matches at North Carolina Wilmington's Seahawk Classic last weekend in straight sets, falling to UNC Wilmington, The Citadel and Kennesaw State. Both Alise Evans and Avery Stromberg recorded 12 kills across the Dolphins' three matches. Katie Barbour also finished the tournament with 29 assists for an average of 3.22. Barbour and Evans also lead Le Moyne with five blocks each.
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.
