University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
15-11, 8-1AE
Binghamton University
8-17, 6-3AE
Volleyball Clinches America East Playoff Berth with Four-Set Win at Binghamton, Hirschinger Tallies 300th Win at UNH
11/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
VESTAL, N.Y. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team clinched an America East playoff berth with a four-set win over Binghamton University on Sunday afternoon at West Gymnasium. UNH's sixth straight victory was coupled by head coach Jill Hirschinger winning her 300th match as a Wildcat.
The set scores were 25-19, 25-14, 19-25 and 25-22.
New Hampshire, which will be making its fourth straight conference tournament appearance, improved its record to 15-11 overall and 8-1 in America East. Binghamton slipped to 8-17, 6-3.
Junior middle blocker Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) tallied a career-high 20 kills on the strength of a .486 hitting percentage to lead UNH offensively. Classmate Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) reached double figures in kills with 10 while pitching in seven digs. Sophomore middle blocker Demi Muses (Orangevale, Calif.) turned in eight kills, 11 digs and five blocks. Senior setter Taylor Dunklau (Mukwonago, Wis.) registered 47 assists and seven digs to orchestrate the attack. Junior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) notched 18 digs to anchor the backline.
The Wildcats took control early in set one by jumping out to leads of 6-0 and 11-2. Binghamton retaliated with a 5-2 run to pull within five points at 12-7. The two sides exchanged blows as the score rose to 18-11 late in the set. Despite a timeout by Binghamton, the Wildcats kept a minimum five-point cushion for the remainder of the frame to take the first game.
UNH jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the second stanza, but the Bearcats were quick to respond, tying the score at the seven and eight marks. The 'Cats regained the lead at 13-8, landing a pair of aces and kills as part of a five-point run. New Hampshire managed to extend its lead to seven at 17-10, forcing Binghamton to call timeout. Errors plagued the Bearcats in the frame as the 'Cats stretched their lead to double digits en route to capturing the second set.
The two sides traded the first 12 points to begin the third set. Binghamton jetted ahead with an 8-3 surge to lead 14-9 as New Hampshire opted to huddle. The Bearcats padded their advantage to 18-11 late in the set. Following a second UNH timeout, the 'Cats responded with a 6-2 spurt to trail 20-16. However, the Wildcats were unable to claim the sweep as the Bearcats held their opponent to just three points for remainder of the set.
The fourth set began much like the third with a back-and-forth battle. Tied at eight apiece, the Bearcats carved out small advantages at 12-9 and 16-12. However, New Hampshire erased Binghamton's four-point advantage to knot it up at the 16 mark. The Wildcats and Bearcats exchanged attacks for the next 10 rallies to even the score, 21-21. Back-to-back kills from junior outside hitter Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) and Muses gave UNH a two-point edge at 23-21, forcing Binghamton to burn a timeout. The Bearcats broke out of the stoppage with a kill to pull within a point, but an error by Binghamton and a block by freshman right sitter Sasha Cucuz (Plymouth, Mich.) and Croci sealed the deal for New Hampshire to claim the four-set win.
UNH concludes its three-match road swing at the University of Massachusetts Lowell on Friday, Nov. 7 (7 p.m.). The Wildcats end regular season league play at home against Stony Brook University (Nov. 13; 7 p.m.) and the University of Hartford (Nov. 14; 7 p.m.) for Senior Day.
Log onto UNHWildcats.com or follow the Wildcats via social media on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHWildcats), Twitter (@UNHWildcats), YouTube (www.youtube.com/UNHAthletics) and Instagram (@UNHWildcats) for the latest news and information on all 20 varsity sports. For additional information on the UNH volleyball team, like the squad on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHVolleyball) or follow the 'Cats on Twitter and Instagram at @UNHVOLLEYBALL.
