Down 28-26 in the final game, the Bearcats showed the resiliency and character that got them to the conference championship.
“I saw my dream standing right in front of me and I didn’t want to let it go,” said sophomore middle blocker Jacki Kane. “Those last four points all of us were shaking. The win was right in front of us and we knew we couldn’t let it slip away.”
Binghamton regained the serve and reeled off four straight points, including a service ace from junior middle blocker Megan Hoag on match point, to win its first-ever America East Championship.
The four points propelled the second-seeded Bearcats past No. 4 Stony Brook on Saturday, as they won the title by scores of 30-20, 28-30, 30-21, 30-28. The team that was projected to finish sixth came out on top, finally silencing anyone who had doubted their determination, ability and talent.
“We weren’t even expected to go to the conference tournament,” said junior outside hitter Katie Brody. “It’s that much more exciting when you are the underdog. We played our hearts out, and we got rewarded.”
Four Binghamton players boasted double-doubles in the match, including Kane, who finished with 11 kills and 19 digs, and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Performer. Freshman outside hitter Brianna Strong played like a seasoned veteran, contributing 10 kills and 19 digs, and junior setter Ashley Meffert had 21 digs and 43 assists, while Brody amassed 13 kills and 15 digs.
With the victory, the Bearcats earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and their opponent will be announced during the selection show on ESPNews on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
“It’s truly one of those dream seasons,” said head coach Glenn Kiriyama. “We couldn’t expect such an ending but it’s been tremendous. The girls worked really hard and they deserve it.”
The Night Before
BU earned a trip to the finals by defeating No. 3 Maine 3-1 in the second semifinal matchup Friday night.
The Black Bears finished second in the conference last year, and despite their experience, fell to the Bearcats by the scores of 30-28, 28-30, 30-26, 30-28.
It was a tight match the whole way, as the final game alone had 11 ties and five lead changes. Sophomore outside hitter Kathleen Schauer was on fire from the start of the match, finishing with 11 digs, eight kills and four blocks. Strong and Kane both added 13 kills.
Just hours before, Stony Brook upset No.1 Albany in a stunning turn of events. The Seawolves were swept by the Great Danes in both regular season contests, but benefited when Albany’s star outside hitter Shelby Goldman was sidelined with a severe ankle sprain. The Great Danes were unable to shake the loss and subsequently fell 3-2.
********Extra Box:
2005 America East Volleyball Championship
Semifinals, Friday, Nov. 18
No. 4 Stony Brook over No. 1 Albany 3-2
No. 2 Binghamton over No. 3 Maine 3-1
Championship Game, Saturday, Nov. 19
No. 2 Binghamton over No. 4 Stony Brook 3-1