The Binghamton volleyball team will look to snap a three-game losing streak today when it is scheduled to return home to take on UMass Lowell.
As two of these consecutive losses have come on the road, the Bearcats (4-15, 1-4 America East) are hoping for a change in momentum as they return to their own gym for the first time since October 4.
UMass Lowell (4-16, 1-3 AE) will also be searching for a change of pace, as it has won just two of its last five matches, most recently falling, 3-0, to conference-leading New Hampshire. Graduate student outside hitter Rachel Arnason and junior middle blocker Lauren Bennett led the River Hawks with four kills each against UNH. Bennett also recorded a match-high .667 hitting percentage in the contest.
Binghamton also had a tough experience last weekend, dropping matches to Stony Brook and UMBC. Despite going on an 11-1 run in its first set against the Seawolves, the Bearcats faltered, losing the game and falling, 3-0. BU then lost, 3-1, to UMBC two days later.
Heading into Friday, BU head coach Glenn Kiriyama is hopeful that his team will continue to develop.
“[We’re] looking to bounce back, see improvement [and hopefully] more energized play,” he said.
Kiriyama analyzed the way his team must improve on the court.
“We need to improve our blocking and our defense behind the block,” he said. He added, “[The team is] digging in and working hard during practice this week.”
Entering their sixth conference game of the season, the Bearcats will aim to keep moving forward behind their young talent.
“Our outsides, [freshman Gabriella Alicea] and [freshman Erin Shultz] are showing constant improvement,” he said. “We’re looking for them to continue to get better. They’re going to get a lot of sets, and we need them to continue to provide us with the offense that we need.”
In Sunday afternoon’s 3-1 loss to UMBC, Alicea had a career-high 20.5 points, while Schultz led the Bearcats with 10 kills. Also integral to Binghamton’s offense was sophomore setter Sarah Ngo, who recorded 30 assists. Ngo is currently fourth in the conference averaging 8.55 assists per set. Junior libero Bailey Walker, who leads Binghamton as well as the America East in digs at 4.86 per set, continues to spearhead BU’s defense.
With a team heavy in young talent, Binghamton certainly has the potential to continue improving. UMass Lowell is also a relatively young team, as seven out of 12 players are underclassmen.
First serve against UMass Lowell is set for 7 p.m. Friday, from the West Gym in Vestal, New York.