The only remaining undefeated team in the America East will be looking to continue its winning streak this weekend, as the Binghamton volleyball team (8-13, 3-0 AE) will be tested by both Stony Brook (9-11, 2-1 AE), on tonight on Long Island, and University of Maryland, Baltimore County (9-10, 2-1 AE), at home on Sunday.
Both matches will be deciding factors in how far the Bearcats are able to go in the America East. The team has already proved it can take out a top opponent in its defeat of Albany, but now is the time to see if BU can repeat its success against the third and fourth place teams.
Stony Brook will be looking to even the score against the defending conference champion Bearcats tonight, as it faces off against BU in a rematch of last year’s America East championship, a game which Binghamton won 3-1. It was truly an amazing end to a dream season in which the Bearcats were the underdogs. Now, the Seawolves, who were swept by Binghamton in all three meetings last year, are hoping they have some magic of their own.
“They are going to be out to get us and avenge last year’s championship match,” said senior outside hitter Katie Robertson. “We just have to go in there confident, with a game plan and the knowledge that we have to play hard.”
It is important to note that although both teams have lost a few players, both their rosters have mainly remained the same.
Junior outside hitter Morgan Sweany has been an offensive powerhouse for Stony Brook, while Binghamton team captain Megan Hoag will look to add to her already amazing 2006 season, in which she has picked up double-digit kills in over 15 matches.
“It’s definitely going to be a tough match,” Robertson said. “Every game is going to be a battle. We aren’t going to get handed wins.”
The UMBC Retrievers will be visiting the West Gym on Sunday with hopes to bring an end to the Bearcats’ perfect home record this season; however, fans may give UMBC a hard time doing so. The Bearcats have had an incredible turnout from their spirited fans thus far this season, and Sunday’s match should not be any different.
“UMBC is definitely a strong team this year,” Robertson said. “We have to be on our game to play them on Sunday.”
Last year, the Bearcats won both of their matches versus UMBC. Sophomore sensation Sarah Ball, who grabbed the America East Rookie of the Year award last year, is one of the Retrievers’ premier players. Were UMBC able to defeat Binghamton it would be a major upset, but the Bearcats nonetheless acknowledge that they need to be prepared.
“Every team is always out to get us, and we have to know that and be ready for it,” Robertson said. “It’s exciting. I like the challenge of knowing that we are the team to beat.”
The Bearcats hope to keep up their dominance over UMBC and the America East conference in front of an electric crowd on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the West Gym. Come cheer the Bearcats on as they attempt to maintain their undefeated home record.