In 2012, the last time the Binghamton volleyball team defeated New Hampshire, it went on to win the America East (AE) Championships. After showcasing their best play of the season to take down the Wildcats (11-10, 4-2 AE) in four sets on Friday night, the Bearcats (9-11, 3-3 AE) are hoping that history repeats itself.
In front of a crowded West Gym, the Bearcats took down UNH in the first set, 25-16. The Wildcats came right back in the second set, maintaining a slight lead to come out on top, 25-22.
The match marked defending AE champion UNH’s first loss in conference play this season and snapped the Wildcats’ 16-game road winning streak.
With high energy levels and competitive play from both teams, the third set followed the trend of the first two. UNH and Binghamton each had opportunities to pull away with a lead, but solid defense and aggressive offense kept the frame close until the end. After Binghamton took the lead late in the set, UNH came back within a point, 23-22.
After the squads traded scores, BU earned match point. A kill from sophomore outside hitter Gaby Alicea put the Wildcats away, 25-23, to hand BU a 2-1 set lead.
Following the dramatic third set, the Bearcats came into the fourth fired up with momentum on their side. UNH appeared deflated and had trouble regaining a rhythm. The fourth frame proved less eventful as the Bearcats stuck it out for a 25-19 set win and the match victory.
Throughout the match, junior setter Sarah Ngo and senior libero Bailey Walker proved indispensable to Binghamton’s success.
“They are keys to our team,” said BU head coach Glenn Kiriyama. “Sarah [Ngo] did a really nice job in the back row today with her digs and serves tonight.”
Ngo tallied 44 assists and a season-high 26 digs in the match, sprinkling in a couple of kills as well. Walker added a season-high 27 digs as well as seven assists.
The efforts of these two players, in addition to the contributions of freshman outside hitter Lauren Kornmann and sophomore outside hitters Alicea and Erin Shultz, made all the difference in the outcome of the match.
“We knew we had to get our middles involved a little more than we have in the past,” Kiriyama said. “They did a nice job of being a part of the offense and keeping themselves available.”
Kornmann was the leader of the night with 18 kills, closely followed by Alicea and Shultz with 14 and 11, respectively. Junior middle hitter Kristella Morina also added seven kills and lead the team with eight blocks.
Along with the Bearcats’ stellar play on Friday night, the team as a whole has improved as the conference season has progressed. This is due in part to Kornmann’s breakout rookie season, in which she has proven to be a force both offensively and defensively. Kornmann has teamed up effectively with Ngo, as the majority of her kills against the Wildcats came off Ngo’s assists.
Binghamton will look for another conference win this Friday against Albany. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the University Gymnasium in Albany, New York.