Sports fans live for the nail biter, and the Binghamton volleyball team delivered one this past Wednesday night against Siena at the Alumni Recreation Center in Loudonville.

In a performance that was reminiscent of the 2005 America East Championship run, the Bearcats (3-11) pushed Siena (6-7) to a five-game set, which they ultimately lost 30-25, 38-40, 26-30, 30-17 and 8-15.

The first game had eight lead changes and established that the two teams were very evenly matched, setting the stage for the epic second match. Down 24-19, the Bearcats battled back to tie Siena at 28-28 and then again at 38-38. A service error and a bad set by the Bearcats ended the highest-scoring game in Bearcat history in a loss, after 15 tied scores and another eight lead changes.

“Losing that game was devastating,” said senior outside hitter Katie Robertson. “It was a heart-breaker, and I feel that the outcome would have been different if we would have taken that game.”

Siena, spurred on by their 40-point victory, won the third game 30-26, but was then blown away by BU in the fourth game after the Bearcats went on a 12-2 run.

In the deciding fifth game, Siena came out with three straight kills, quelling Binghamton’s momentum. The Bearcats were unable to dig themselves out of the 0-3 hole and lost the final game in a match that could have gone to either team.

“Siena started out with the serve and we had a tough time fighting off the first couple of points,” said senior middle hitter Megan Hoag. “That definitely set the tone for the final game.”

Despite the loss, the Bearcats were a force at the net, stuffing Siena with 13 kills. Hoag compiled an impressive 15 kills and 18 digs. Juniors Jacki Kane and Kathleen Schauer both rocketed 17 kills and had above .300 hitting percentages. Senior setter Ashley Meffert rounded out the team with 49 assists and 11 digs.

Siena was carried to victory by Christie Gustafson’s 19 kills and Burgandy McCurty’s 17 kills and .351 hitting percentage.

“I think everybody pitched in this game, and unfortunately we came up a little short,” Hoag said. “It was certainly a disappointing loss, especially since Siena has beaten both New Hampshire and Stony Brook in three games. We wanted to establish that we could beat a team that has beaten other teams in our conference.”

The Bearcats will close out the pre-season this weekend at the Sheraton Penn Invitational. Pennsylvania (1-5), Farleigh Dickinson (7-2) and Quinnipiac (0-7) are all teams that BU thinks it can handle.

“We need to use these games as a stepping block to get into conference and give us more confidence,” Hoag said. “It would be nice to get some wins underneath our belts before conference play.”