FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Binghamton volleyball team (1-3) broke into the win column for the first time this season by defeating Central Connecticut State (1-3) 3-1 in the opening match of the Sacred Heart Invitational Friday at the William H. Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center. Binghamton ultimately prevailed in the match 25-22, 25-22, 21-25 and 25-15.
Viktoria Dimitrova picked up her first double-double of the season with 14 kills and 10 digs.
Magi Milicevic also added 14 kills, while
Maya Coblentz-Brown posted 10. It was part of a breakthrough day for the Bearcats' offense, as Binghamton recorded a season-high 53 kills. Also,
Celeste Ocampo set a new career high in digs with 28, and
Regan Kadel put up a season-high 41 assists.
Both teams raced to an 18-18 tie in the opening set before Binghamton eventually moved ahead 20-19 thanks to a service error by CCSU and a kill by Milicevic. The Bearcats then got a kill from
Sydney Geselbracht, Kadel and Dimitrova to take three of the next four points to extend their lead to 23-21. After the Blue Devils brought it to 23-22, the Bearcats put away the set with a kill by Dimitrova and a service ace from
Maia Marin.
Following a 7-7 deadlock at the start of the second set, Binghamton went on a 6-1 run to jump out to a 13-8 lead. While the Blue Devils got back within one point at 16-15, the Bearcats never gave up the lead. Binghamton hit .302 as a team during the frame to take the set and extend its lead to 2-0.
CCSU rallied in the third set to extend the match. Trailing 16-15, the Blue Devils scored the next seven points to move ahead 22-16, before winning the set 25-21.
Binghamton rallied in the fourth set, however. With the set tied at seven, the Bearcats took advantage of three straight attack errors by the Blue Devils to go on a 6-1 run to take the lead at 13-8. Binghamton never looked back, keeping a lead of at least three points before closing out the set on an 8-1 run to win the match.
The Bearcats wrap up their weekend by completing the Sacred Heart Invitational on Saturday. Binghamton first faces Sacred Heart at noon, followed by Le Moyne at 4 p.m.
Hinman, Howard & Katell, LLP is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Volleyball.
