Volleyball Back in the America East Title Match, Defeats Binghamton in Four Sets

Friday, November 20

Durham, N.H.

7 PM

University of New Hampshire

20-8, 11-1AE

Binghamton University

9-19, 6-6AE

Binghamton

New Hampshire

Volleyball will compete for a third consecutive AE crown on its home floor Saturday, Nov. 21 (5 p.m.).

Photo by: Elise Austin-Washburn

Volleyball Back in the America East Title Match, Defeats Binghamton in Four Sets

11/20/2015 9:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

DURHAM, N.H. -- The top-seeded University of New Hampshire volleyball team advanced to the America East Championship match for the third straight season, as three players eclipsed double-digit kills in Friday's four-set victory over fourth-seeded Binghamton University at Lundholm Gymnasium.

The set scores were 25-17, 25-22, 22-25 and 25-22.

UNH, the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, ups its overall record to 20-8. Binghamton's season comes to an end, finishing the year with an overall record of 9-19. In the other semifinal, the second-seed University at Albany defeated the third-seed Stony Brook University in straight sets (25-18, 25-19, 25-15).

The two-time defending America East champions post their third consecutive 20-win season and the ninth in program history.

Senior outside hitter Abby Brinkman (Brecksville, Ohio) highlighted the UNH offense, notching 14 kills. Classmates Tori Forrest (Powder Springs, Ga.) and Cassidy Croci (Sylvania, Ohio) tallied termination tallies of 13 and 11 respectively. Junior Keelin Severtson (Delray, Beach, Fla.), the America East Setter of the Year, engineered a double-double performance of 40 assists and 12 digs. Demi Muses (Orangevale, Calif.), the America East co-Player of the Year, turned in 17 digs, five blocks and six kills. Senior defensive specialist Madison Lightfoot (Clarkston, Mich.) patrolled the backcourt, tallying a season-high 31 digs in the win.

Binghamton was led by double-double performances from freshman outside hitter Gabby Alicea and sophomore setter Sarah Ngo. Alicea posted 18 kills and 14 digs in the setback while Ngo dished out 41 assists and a team-high 24 digs. Classmate Erin Shultz added 11 kills. Junior defensive specialist Kasey Muchnicki anchored the backline, shoveling out 19 attacks.

UNH engineered a .357 hitting percentage out of the gate, landing 14 kills in the first set. The Wildcats started the match with a service ace from Severtson, bolting out to a 10-6 lead as the Bearcats regrouped early. New Hampshire continued to test the Binghamton defense, extending its lead to eight points at the 20-12 mark. UNH and Binghamton traded scores for the remainder of the set as the blue and white seized set one.

The Wildcats and Bearcats traded blows to start the second stanza as the two squads were tangled at the 10 mark. Back-to-back hitting errors by Binghamton were sandwiched by kills from Brinkman and Croci as UNH registered four straight points. Despite a timeout by Binghamton, New Hampshire tacked two more points, owning a 16-10 lead in the midst of the second frame. The Bearcats whittled the deficit down to four, looking up at a 21-17 deficit as they opted to use their second timeout. Binghamton responded with a 4-2 spurt, backboned by kills from Alicea and Shultz as the visitors made it a one-point contest at 23-22. UNH used a timeout to regain its composure. An attack error by the Bearcats followed by a kill from Severtson forged the set two win and a 2-0 lead into intermission.

Binghamton remained resilient despite facing a 2-0 deficit into the third set. The Bearcat defense stepped up and stymied UNH's hitting to a .037 clip in a highly contested frame that featured 16 tie scores and four lead changes. The Wildcats got off to a hot start out of the locker rooms, dashing out to a 7-3 advantage. However, the Bearcats erased the lead quickly with four straight points. UNH and Binghamton traded blows as the score increased to 15 apiece. Muchnicki snapped the deadlock with a service ace and UNH struck a ball of the mark as the home team trailed 17-15. New Hampshire initially could not put a dent in the lead, but a flurry of kills from Forrest bolstered by a combo block from senior outside hitter Maggie Kenney (Merrimack, N.H.) and Croci made it a one-score game at the 23-22 mark. Binghamton called a timeout, looking to avoid match-point. The Bearcats closed out set three with back-to-back points, punctuated by a service ace by Alicea.

New Hampshire raced out to an 8-4 lead to begin the decisive set, but Binghamton reversed the momentum by capturing six of the next seven exchanges. The Bearcats continued their momentum, carving out a four-point advantage at the 15-11 mark as UNH burned its first timeout. The break proved to be useful as the 'Cats responded with three straight kills coming from the hands of Forrest, Kenney and Brinkman. UNH tied the stanza at the 16 mark and the two sides traded leads as the score increased to 21-21. Forrest and Croci landed back-to-back terminations, giving the 'Cats a 23-21 lead late in the match. Binghamton responded with a kill, but a service error put the ball in Forrest's hands as New Hampshire earned match-point. The senior co-captain ripped the match-deciding ace to lift the Wildcats to their third consecutive championship appearance.

UNH and UAlbany meet again in a rematch of last year's championship at Lundholm Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 21 (5 p.m.). The winner of the America East Championship will receive an automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Division I Volleyball Tournament.

Tickets are available for purchase through the Whittemore Center Arena Box Office by calling 603-862-4000, extension 5, or by visiting the Box Office in person. Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $5 for youth and senior citizens and $2 for students of America East member institutions. Admission is free for UNH students, but tickets must be picked up at the Whittemore Center Box Office throughout the week. Students will need to present a valid UNH Student ID. Students can also pick up a ticket from the Field House Box Office before the games on Friday and Saturday. Fans with a game ticket to the UNH football game vs. Maine can purchase a ticket to the volleyball championship for $5.

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