Volleyball set to kick off 2022 season

August 25, 2022

VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton volleyball enters the 2022 season with seven new faces and first yr head coach Allie Yeager on the helm. The crew kicks issues off Friday night towards Maryland Jap Shore as part of the Bearcat Basic, which additionally options contests towards Boston Faculty and Siena.

“We’re emphasizing belief and persistence this preseason,” Yaeger mentioned. “The crew continues to construct each single day and we’re persevering with to remain hungry till we attain our objectives on the finish of the season. The enhancements now we have comprised of the spring are so thrilling to see and we’re prepared to indicate it on the court docket.”

Yaeger involves BU from Seton Corridor, the place she spent the final 10 seasons because the Pirates’ head coach. Junior switch exterior hitter Tsvetelina Ilieva additionally involves Vestal from Seton Corridor, the place she completed 2021 with 176 kills. The Sofia, Bulgaria native was additionally a BIG EAST All-Freshman Group choice in 2020.

Senior center blocker Anna Sprys and junior exterior hitter Stefana Stan headline a strong returning unit. Sprys completed second within the America East with 95 blocks a season in the past, together with a 12-block efficiency in a five-set win over Albany. Stan, an America East Second Group All-Convention choice, led the crew with 229 kills.

 

Defensive Specialist/Libero

Sophomore Sydney Aguirre, who noticed important time within the again in her first season, additionally returns and can see an elevated function. In 2021, Aguirre shined within the second half of the yr, registering 5 or extra digs in eight of the crew’s last 9 matches.

Freshman Madison Konopka will even contribute as each a libero and defensive specialist after making strides within the preseason. Each gamers are anticipated to be on the two positions over the primary month.

“Sydney is an extremely versatile participant,” Yaeger mentioned. “She has nice ball management and also will see some motion as a right-side hitter. Maddie additionally did fairly nicely in our preseason exhibition towards Syracuse, so selecting our libero will not be straightforward and that is a very good drawback to have. Each gamers can have a direct impression on our success this season.”

Senior Emma Rainville will even compete for time on the defensive specialist place. She has seen motion as a setter in her first three seasons at BU, compiling 35 assists final season. In opposition to New Hampshire, she registered a career-high 14 digs.


Exterior Hitter

Ilieva will play six rotations for BU, as she has secured a management function early in her profession as a Bearcat. She shall be a go-to goal in her first season within the America East.

“Tsvet is nice for our program,” Yeagar mentioned. “Her expertise and vitality within the gymnasium have already affected the crew in a optimistic approach.”

Stan returns after two profitable seasons. She is going to proceed to carry out on the surface after being a big a part of the crew’s offense a yr in the past. Freshman Kasey Tietjen has impressed in August, and can contribute instantly. 

“Kasey competes day by day and is pushing to play and be a key piece for us,” Yaeger mentioned.

Carly Powell will construct off her freshman season as an out of doors hitter as nicely. She had 48 kills in 2021, together with a 15-kill efficiency towards St. Francis Brooklyn.

 

Proper Facet

Binghamton boasts a powerful right-side hitter place, the place freshman Giulia Bonifacio and senior Victoria Erwat will each be key. 

“Guilia has introduced consistency to the place,” Yaegar mentioned. “She had 9 kills in our exhibition towards Syracuse, with a hitting proportion nicely over .300. Vic(toria) is so enjoyable to observe. Her enhancements from the spring are thrilling to see in motion and she or he is likely one of the greatest blockers this crew has.”

Erwat slid right into a distinguished function on the finish of 2021. Within the crew’s last week, she had two video games with 10 kills, a type of contests coming with no single error. 

 

Center Blocker

Sprys will anchor the center for the Bearcats. She proved to be top-of-the-line defensive gamers within the America East in 2021, and can proceed to showcase her offensive skills in 2022. 

“Anna is an impressive blocker,” Yaegar mentioned. “I need her to get extra alternatives offensively this season. She brings nice vitality and expertise to the desk, in addition to self-discipline on her blocks.”

Junior Stephanie Gatto shall be moved over from the fitting aspect to start out the yr, to deliver extra depth. Freshmen Christian Bouie and Larisa Lehtoranta will even compete for a job.

 

Setter

The Bearcats plan to make use of two setters, junior Jessie Bilello and freshman Lottie Scully to kick off the yr. Bilello missed the complete 2021 season because of harm however is poised to make a direct impression. 

“We’ll be operating a 6-2 with Jessie and Lottie, the place each will see three rotations,” Yaeger mentioned. “There may be some inexperience on the place at this degree, however they’ve performed some unimaginable issues within the preseason. The 2 of them are so robust and have the flexibility to get low and make nice units even when we’re not in system. We’re going to be affected person with them and perceive that errors will occur alongside the way in which, however the sky is the restrict for these two.”

The Bearcats substitute Kiara Adams (commencement), who had 622 assists in 2021.

 

Non-conference schedule

The Bearcats will play in 4, three-match tournaments to open the season, a house match towards Niagara and a street match towards Colgate. Apart from the competition towards Colgate, all the others shall be previous to America East play. After this weekend, Binghamton will journey to Central Connecticut State, Georgetown and West Virginia for its different tournaments.

“I’m excited to make use of the primary 4 weeks to ensure we’re prepared for convention play,” Yaeger mentioned. “We’ll take this time to maneuver the lineup and tweak sure issues whereas additionally making some noise proper off the bat.”


America East Play

Binghamton and the remainder of the America East welcome Bryant to the convention this season.The Bearcats are scheduled to play a house and street contest towards every convention opponent. 

“This convention shall be so enjoyable to observe this yr,” Yaeger mentioned. “There have been important modifications up and down the board, together with some teaching modifications, transfers and clearly the arrival of Bryant as nicely. We really feel that we are able to win each time we step on the ground.”

Binghamton’s full schedule could be discovered right here.

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