Volleyball Trumps Binghamton in Straight Sets, Extends Conference Win Streak to 14

Sunday, October 4

Vestal, N.Y.

1 PM

University of New Hampshire

11-7, 3-0AE

Binghamton University

4-13, 1-2AE

New Hampshire

Binghamton

UNH has won 14 straight contests against America East opponents.

Photo by: Elise Austin-Washburn

Volleyball Trumps Binghamton in Straight Sets, Extends Conference Win Streak to 14

10/4/2015 4:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y. -- The University of New Hampshire volleyball team continued its winning ways Sunday afternoon, toppling Binghamton University in straight sets at West Gymnasium.

The set scores were 25-18, 25-23 and 25-22.

UNH wins its fifth straight decision and ups its overall record to 11-7 and 3-0 in America East play. Binghamton drops to 4-13, 1-2. New Hampshire extends its conference unbeaten streak to 14 contests. Furthermore, the Wildcats have yet to concede a set against a league opponent this season.

UNH's fifth sweep of the year was led by another double-double performance from Demi Muses (Orangevale, Calif.). The junior middle blocker registered 12 kills and 10 digs to record her sixth double-double of the season. The offense was bolstered by seniors Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) and Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) with termination tallies of nine and eight, respectively. Junior setter Keelin Severtson (Delray Beach, Fla.) orchestrated the offense with 35 assists. Senior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) shoveled out 16 attacks to anchor the backline.

The Bearcats were led by rookie outside hitter Erin Shultz' 11 kills and sophomore setter Sarah Ngo's 32 assists. Freshman outside hitter Gabby Alicea chipped in 10 kills and junior libero Bailey Walker recorded a match-high 22 digs.

The Wildcats and Bearcats traded blows in the early goings of the match, but the home team was first to reach 10 points with a 10-7 edge early. UNH could not whittle the lead down as Binghamton extended its lead to 12-8, forcing the blue and white to call timeout. The Wildcats retaliated with a 9-3 surge to own a 17-15 advantage as the Bearcats opted to huddle. Muses provided the firepower for the 'Cats to close out the first set, landing two kills and an ace to highlight an 8-3 run.

New Hampshire and Binghamton traded the first eight points out of the chute to begin a closely contested second set, featuring seven tie scores. The Bearcats managed to carve out four-point leads at the 12-8 and 13-9 marks, but was quickly erased by kills from senior outside hitter Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) and Brinkman to knot the score, 13-13. Neither team could pull away as the score rose to 16 apiece. UNH was able to snap the knotted score as Brinkman and Muses combined for three kills to give the blue and white a 19-16 lead late in the stanza. After a Bearcats timeout, the hosts were able to make it a one-point contest at 21-20 as the 'Cats chose to huddle in order to preserve their slim lead. The Bearcats leveled the score for the seventh time in the frame at the 23 mark, looking to swipe the second frame in the waning moments. However, New Hampshire managed to turn the momentum around with back-to-back terminations from Croci and Forrest to take a 2-0 lead into the locker rooms.

Much like the previous frame, the third set saw neither team able to pull away early as both squads found themselves tangled at 5-5 and 6-6. The Bearcats momentarily powered ahead 12-8, but a Forrest kill and three consecutive errors by the home team leveled the score at 12 apiece. UNH seized an opportunity as a Muses ace fell followed by a solo block from Croci to take a 14-12 lead midway through the decisive stanza. After a Binghamton timeout, the hosts tied the set again on a kill and a combo block. However, UNH engineered a 5-1 surge, ignited by a solo block from Croci. Looking up at a 19-16 deficit and down 2-0 in the match, the Bearcats would not fade away quietly as the hosts whittled the Wildcats' lead down to two at 22-20 and 24-22. After a late timeout by New Hampshire, UNH slammed the door on any potential fourth frame as Croci tallied the decisive point with a kill to secure the sweep.

UNH's next three contests will be in Durham with the University of Massachusetts Lowell coming to town Sunday, Oct. 11 (1 p.m.). New Hampshire then welcomes the University of Maryland, Baltimore County to Lundholm Gymnasium on Friday, Oct. 16 (7 p.m.). The Wildcats conclude the homestand against Stony Brook University on Saturday, Oct. 17 (4 p.m.).

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