Looking for a kick start to a season that has begun slowly, the Binghamton volleyball team is hoping for a change of fortune this weekend when they travel to Cambridge to take part in the Harvard Invitational.

The Bearcats (1-6) have struggled throughout pre-season play this year, including three losses last week at the Four Point Titan Classic, where they lost to Cal State Fullerton, Weber State and College of Charleston.

Despite the slow start, do not dismiss the Bearcats just yet; this is the most difficult schedule they have faced since moving to Division I five years ago.

“We’re playing some strong teams this year in the pre-season,” said senior captain Megan Hoag. “We are expecting to compete with these teams and need to focus on making big plays at the end of the games when it matters.”

Hoag, who has led the team in kills the past six games, will carry the team through the upcoming tournament with the support of juniors Jacki Kane and Kathleen Schauer, who had 16 and 11 kills, respectively, in their last game.

The girls will kick off the Harvard Invitational with a match against the Harvard Crimson, whose season opener will be against the Bearcats on Friday. The Crimson are hoping to get back on track after rebuilding the team last season.

Binghamton will play a doubleheader on Saturday, which starts with a match again the two-time defending Northeast Conference champions, the Long Island University Blackbirds. Long Island (2-4) is the pre-season favorite to win the 2006 NEC championship and is led by junior outside hitter Martina Wagner, ranked third in the conference for kills last season.

Binghamton will close out the tournament with a match against Rutgers on Saturday afternoon.

The Scarlet Knights (4-4) are led by head coach Orlando Gonzalez, who is in his first full season with the team. Gonzalez has implemented a fast-paced offense, with senior outside hitter Lora Yankaustas leading the way. The team is hoping to rebound this weekend in the tournament after two straight losses.

The pre-season has proved difficult for the Bearcats, but ultimately by raising their level of competition the team will be well-prepared for conference play.

“I think this weekend we have a chance to beat some good teams,” Hoag said. “Going through the pre-season will help us out for conference because we are playing a tough schedule, but I think we are definitely coming along as a team.”