As Binghamton University’s Division I athletics program continues to develop through adolescence, it will soon lose one of its cornerstones as the 2007 volleyball season comes to a close.

Sunday’s game was the last chapter in the home career of Jacqueline Kane, one of the most decorated players in the program history and, perhaps more importantly, the prototype of the ideal athlete that all 19 BU head coaches must recruit to continue to improve their programs in the years to come.

Kane’s skills on the court are obvious, as she sits just six blocks shy of the school’s all-time block record, with 607 career rejections. She’s consistently been among the league’s leaders in hitting percentage and kills, and took on new responsibilities this season by playing back row for the first time in her career.

Without a doubt, Kane has played a huge part in most ‘ if not all ‘ of BU’s 67 wins since 2004. But the way the 6-foot-1-inch middle blocker from Colorado goes about her business supersedes her various accolades.

Kane plays the game with an unmatched passion that makes the game enjoyable to watch. Her consistency on the front line has translated to plenty of victories, including the 2005 America East championship ‘ and it’s that special blend of passion and skill that makes her a sure-fire fan favorite.

Of course, volleyball is a team sport, with all six parts working in unison at all times. The team’s success has improved attendance, and it’s been BU’s stellar home play that has buoyed their record and earned them four consecutive playoff appearances ‘ including the 2005 conference championship.

No team sport relies on just one player, and there are several other special student-athletes that come to mind: Zeynep Altinay, class of 2007, grew from a quiet, shy Turkish recruit to a bright and bubbly No. 1, with the most women’s tennis wins in school history. Graham Munro, class of 2006, controlled the soccer team’s back line for four years, with an unmistakable shaved head and his unmistakable Scottish accent.

But perhaps the most visible star to pass through Binghamton was Sebastian Hermenier, class of 2006, a 6-foot-6-inch forward for Al Walker’s Cinderella 2004-2005 team that teetered on the edge of greatness. ‘Seabass’ quietly battled a multitude of injuries for years, giving his heart and soul to the BU Zoo, which repaid him with gratitude and well-deserved ‘MVP’ chants ‘ and grew exponentially during Sebastian’s heroic run.

At a school where our D-I sports are garnering more and more attention, it’s athletes like these who have brought their teams not only wins, but also recognition. And with increased exposure and boosted attendance, all of BU’s programs can benefit and continue to improve as they have since their jump to D-I in 2001.