University of Albany Volleyball Sweeps Binghamton, 3-0, in America East Rematch - UAlbany Sports 2009

Vestal, N.Y. - Teresa Coppiellie and Hillary White each recorded 11 kills to lead UAlbany to a 3-0 sweep of Binghamton on Sunday afternoon at West Gym. It was the team's second time facing each other in the last three days, as UAlbany came out with a 3-2 win when the two teams met at University Gymnasium on Friday. The Great Danes came away with the win by posting set scores of 25-21, 25-13 and 25-21.

UAlbany rallied back from an early 4-1 deficit in the first set behind the service game of Laurie Gonzalez. Gonzalez served for four straight points, sandwiching a service ace between kills by Coppiellie and Kalyn Mostert, while Coppiellie also got a solo block in the series. Binghamton ended the rally with a kill from Michelle McDonough, but the Great Danes continued to roll, building up a 17-13 lead with a Bearcat attack error. Binghamton powered back, tying the set at 19-19 on a UAlbany ball handling error. The Great Danes jumped back in front with kills by Casey Wright and Valerie Sourbeer, while a service ace by Brooke Stanley gave UAlbany a 23-20 lead. Kills by Mostert and Coppiellie ended the first set in UAlbany's favor.

UAlbany quickly built up an 9-4 lead in the second set on a kill and service ace by Coppiellie. A service error by Binghamton put UAlbany ahead, 11-6, and put the ball in Stanley's hands for the service. Stanley served for six straight points, getting one service ace and five blocks at the net for the Great Danes. Wright was involved in four blocks during that series, while Sourbeer and Mostert also got in on the blocking action, giving UAlbany a 17-7 advantage. Binghamton was unable to recover, and the Great Danes rolled to the set win, getting a kill from White to end play.

UAlbany came out firing in the third set, building up a 6-2 lead on the service game of Laura Livergood, and building up a 15-9 advantage on a kill from Stanley. Binghamton would pull within 17-15 on a kill from McDonough, but Coppiellie responded with a kill of her own, and then served for four straight points to put the Great Danes ahead, 22-15. McDonough recorded another kill to get the Bearcats within23-18, before Elana King served for three consecutive points to pull Binghamton within two points. However, a Bearcat attack error gave the ball back to UAlbany, and Stanley finished the match with a service ace.

White finished the match with a .688 hitting percentage, taking 16 attempts without committing an error, leading the Great Danes to a .317 percentage as a team. Sourbeer added nine kills for UAlbany, while Wright totaled five blocks. Stanley finished with a match-high 35 assists to go along with seven digs and three service aces, while Gonzalez led the team defensively with a match-best 17 digs.

McDonough recorded a match-high 16 kills for Binghamton (11-11, AE 3-3). Anna Lejina added eight kills, while Brianna Strong totaled 11 digs for the Bearcats. Setter Lindsey Mueller recorded 24 assists.

UAlbany (16-8, AE 6-0) remains the only undefeated team in the conference, extending its win streak to 12 matches. The Great Danes will return to action on Friday, Oct. 30, as they host New Hampshire. UAlbany will be hosting the Second Annual Dig Pink match against the Wildcats, as the Great Danes will look to raise money and awareness for the Sideout Foundation in support of breast cancer research.

UAlbany (16-8, AE 6-0) def. Binghamton (11-11, AE 3-3)

UAlbany 3, Binghamton 0 (Oct 25, 2009)

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information