For Immediate Release: September 20, 2006
Contact: Anthony G. Naglieri (sports@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-2956

Volleyball drops a five-game heartbreaker at Siena

Box Score

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – Binghamton volleyball dropped a five-game (25-30, 40-38, 30-26, 17-30, 15-8) heartbreaker to defending MAAC champion Siena in a regionally telecast and world wide webcast match Wednesday night from the Alumni Recreation Center.

The Bearcats got off to a fast start, pounding 16 kills while committing just four errors to capture game one 30-25. In an epic second game that saw 15 lead changes and nine combined game points go for naught, BU fought resiliently, staving off defeat on seven occasions and trading points with the host Saints until a pair of Bearcat errors at 38-38 spelled the end of the longest game in program history, 40-38.

Following its marathon victory, Siena carried the momentum into the match's third game, taking a 30-26 decision to grab a 2-1 advantage. Facing elimination in the fourth game, Binghamton bounced back with authority, using a 12-2 spurt to cruise to a 30-17 victory. In the fifth and deciding set, however, it was all Siena. The Saints burst out of the gate and never looked back, leading from wire-to-wire in a 15-8 triumph.

"It was a pretty close match throughout," said head coach Glenn Kiriyama. "We just didn't execute well in that final game. Hopefully we will continue to improve and raise our game before conference play gets underway."

Junior middle blocker Jacki Kane (Centennial, Colo.) tied for the team-lead with 17 kills at a match-best .389 clip. The 6-2 middle blocker was an imposing force at the net, recording a season-high nine blocks. Right side hitter Kathleen Schauer (Littleton, Colo.) complemented her fellow classmate with a career-high 17 kills and six blocks. In all, BU outblocked Siena by a 13-4 margin.

"I thought we did an excellent job blocking tonight. We got our hands on a lot of balls and were able to send a lot back for points."

Senior setter Ashley Meffert added a 49-assist, 11-dig double-double, her sixth of the season, while seniors Katie Robertson (Ancaster, Ontario) and Megan Hoag (Brunswick, Ohio) each kicked in double-doubles of their own. Hoag contributed 15 kills and 18 digs, while Robertson finished with 10 kills and 16 digs to her credit.

Christie Gustafson led four Saints to hit in double-figures with a match-high 19 kills and 12 digs. Burgandy McCurty converted on 17 of her attacks with just four errors (.351), while MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, Nadiege Honore chipped in with 14 kills.

Despite being outhit .247 to .188 on the evening, Siena finished with a 77-69 advantage in total kills.

Binghamton makes the jaunt down to Philadelphia this weekend for the Sheraton Penn Invitational, its final tournament prior to conference play. The Bearcats open up the tournament Saturday night versus the host Quakers at 7:30 p.m., while day two pits BU up against Fairleigh Dickinson and Quinnipiac.

Notes: The 40-38 game two score was the highest scoring game Binghamton has ever been involved in since the NCAA went to a 30-point rally scoring format prior to the 2001 season....The Bearcats are now 3-2 in matches that have gone five games.