The Binghamton volleyball team heads on an important road trip this weekend, visiting conference opponents Stony Brook and UMBC.
On Friday, the Bearcats (4-13, 1-2 America East) will be tasked with ending Stony Brook’s (6-12, 2-0 AE) three-match winning streak. Undefeated in conference play this season, the Seawolves boast a deep, experienced roster anchored by senior setter Nicole Vogel and freshman setter Morgan Kath. Vogel is the reigning AE Setter of the Week, while Kath’s 9.13 assists per set leads the conference.
Not only have the Seawolves won their last three matches, but they have not dropped as much as a set since their 3-1 defeat to Army on September 19. After coasting to shutout victories versus Fordham, UMBC and UMass Lowell, SBU will try to make it a fourth-straight sweep versus the Bearcats.
Despite Stony Brook’s recent string of success, Binghamton head coach Glenn Kiriyama is not counting his team out on Friday.
“They’ve been focusing and working hard,” Kiriyama said. “Just the fact that we played New Hampshire pretty close gives them confidence going into the games this weekend. I really like the hustle of the team.”
Junior libero Bailey Walker was one player Kiriyama singled out as having a great influence on the team. Kiriyama praised the junior’s performances against Hartford and New Hampshire last weekend.
“Bailey Walker is the one who starts it all,” Kiriyama said. “She was all over the place last weekend.”
Regardless of the result of the match versus Stony Brook, the Bearcats will look to finish the weekend strong in Maryland against UMBC (7-9, 1-1 AE). The Retrievers sit just half a game ahead of the Bearcats in the America East standings, so there is a real possibility that this game will have a major effect on seeding in the AE playoffs.
After playing at home for three consecutive matches, Kiriyama knows his Bearcats are ready to hit the road and get over .500 in the America East.
“They know every conference game is important,” he said. “These two road games are going to determine a lot for us. They are going to play hard.”
First serve is set for Friday at 7 p.m. from Pritchard Gymnasium in Stony Brook, New York. The Bearcats are scheduled to close out their weekend against UMBC on Sunday at 1 p.m. from the RAC Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.