Nothing seemed to go Binghamton’s way at the America East Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The No. 2 Bearcats (15-17) were expected to roll over No. 3 University of Maryland Baltimore County (16-14), but fell to the Retrievers in a 3-1 shocker, ending the Bearcats reign as AE champs.

“I was heartbroken; the loss didn’t make any sense to me at all,” said junior middle blocker Jacki Kane. “There was no doubt in any of our minds that we could have been very successful. We worked hard this season, and it was a tragic ending.”

After winning a tight first match, 32-30, control slipped out of BU’s hands. The Retrievers forced the Bearcats to play catch up as they reeled off three straight wins, 30-22, 30-23, 30-24.

“I have never seen UMBC play as well as they did on Saturday,” said senior Katie Robertson. “Their hitters were very effective and worked around our blocks. Our defense simply could not handle their offense.”

After defeating UMBC 3-1 and 3-0 in regular conference play this season, the defending conference champion Bearcats were expecting to defeat UMBC in the first round and move on to the final round of the championship. No one was prepared for the Retrievers’ unstoppable hitting, serving, blocking and solid defense. Poor defense and serve receiving prevented the Bearcats from getting their offense, quite literally, off the ground.

“In volleyball everything comes down to passing,” Kane said. “UMBC had a very good offense, so we couldn’t get any digs up or start serve receiving.”

“The whole night it felt like nothing was clicking,” Robertson added. “Everything that could have possibly gone wrong, went wrong.”

The numbers speak for themselves. UMBC posted 67 kills, 66 assists, 11 service aces, 11 team blocks and a .240 hitting percentage. The Bearcats managed 46 kills, 46 assists, nine service aces, six team blocks and a .127 hitting percentage. Senior Megan Hoag’s team-high 13 kills was not enough to match UMBC’s Angela Anderson’s 18 kills.

The Retrievers went on to push Albany to five games in the final, which they ultimately lost to the Great Danes, 3-2.

Binghamton closed out the season second in the conference and third in the tourney with 9-4 conference record.

Despite the disappointing loss, the team is already looking toward next season.

“We have always been a team that has a lot of heart and that will continue into next year,” Kane said. “I am also really looking forward to getting revenge.”

Box: Four BU volleyball members garnered America East All-Conference Honors.

First Team

Megan Hoag — Senior middle blocker

Jacki Kane — Junior middle blocker

Ashley Meffert — Senior setter

Second Team

Kathleen Schauer — Junior outside hitter

All Academic Team

Megan Hoag

Jacki Kane