For Immediate Release: October 15, 2004
Contact: Thomas Moore (sports@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-2956

Binghamton volleyball rallies to stop Maine in five games

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y.--Freshmen Jacki Kane (Centennial, Colo.) and Kathleen Schauer (Littleton, Colo.) combined for 18 kills and 27 blocks leading Binghamton (12-11, 2-2 AE) to a 3-2, come-from-behind victory over Maine (9-7, 3-1 AE) in an America East volleyball match Friday from West Gym. Binghamton won the match 30-27, 25-30, 27-30, 30-20, 15-11.

Playing without Anne Crocus (Bethlehem, Pa.), the conference leader in hitting and blocking, Binghamton still managed to snapped Maine's eight-game win streak, which included three straight against conference opponents. Kane's 16 blocks was one shy of the school record for blocks set by Crocus against Canisius on September 4.

"This is the most important win of the season," head coach Glenn Kiriyama said. "We came out and performed well - especially the freshmen. I thought Kathleen (Schauer) had a great match blocking, and they had a tough time stopping her hits as well."

The Bearcats played Maine close in the first three games before jumping out to a big lead in game four. In the final game, the Black Bears held a slim 8-7 before BU took over, going on a 7-2 run. The Black Bears tried to rally off of a kill from Carmen Morgan, but Schauer and Kane teamed up for one last block to win the game. That block gave the Bearcats a team total of 26, which eclipsed the school record by one set against Potsdam on September 27, 1991.

Senior outside hitter Michele Heck (Chiago, Ill.) recorded a team-high 18 kills and added 11 digs. Senior right side hitter Jen Smith (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) had 15 kills and 11 digs while sophomore setter Ashley Meffert (Louisville, Ky.) added 51 assists and 14 digs. Sophomore middle hitter Megan Hoag (Brunswick, Ohio) contributed 10 kills and 11 digs.

Binghamton continues its weekend homestand against New Hampshire Saturday at 5 p.m.