UALBANY WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS BINGHAMTON IN BATTLE FOR AMERICA EAST LEAD
Albany, N.Y. ? Shelby Goldman had 15 kills and 13 digs as UAlbany upended Binghamton, 3-0, in a battle for first place in the America East Conference standings on Monday evening at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes, who lost the first meeting between these teams one month ago, won by scores of 30-21, 30-17 and 30-27.
UAlbany (14-9, AE 7-2) reversed a 13-10 deficit in the first game with 13 of the next 16 points. Ashley DeNeal, a senior outside hitter, belted back-to-back kills to put her team ahead, 18-16. Goldman later added her fifth kill of the opening frame to become the school's all-time leader in that category. She passed UAlbany Hall-of-Famer Patty Munhall (1983-86) in that category, and now has 1,549 for her career.
The Great Danes, who have won seven of their last eight outings, also controlled the second game. UAlbany led 21-17, but then ripped off nine unanswered points to close out the scoring. Ashley Crenshaw, who had six kills and six block assists, started the streak by smacking Blair Buchanan's back set for a winner. DeNeal, who had seven kills and 12 digs, ended the run with a service ace.
Binghamton (12-15, AE 6-2) played a tighter third game behind the play of 6-foot-2 Jacki Kane, who had a team-high eight kills, and senior middle blocker Megan Hoag, who added six kills and 19 digs. But the Bearcats, who had a four-game win streak halted, were undone when they committed two costly errors with the score tied at 26 apiece.
“I thought we played with much more poise than the first time,” said UAlbany coach Kelly Sheffield, who saw his team lose 30-24, 30-28 and 30-24 on Sept. 29. “From the beginning we were frantic and did not keep our composure. But tonight our defense was right where it was supposed to be and we made an adjustment with our blocking. I like how we are improving.”
Kamisha Kellam, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, had 10 kills, her sixth time in double figures this season, with four blocks. Hillary White turned in her best all-around effort as a middle blocker with seven kills, 12 digs and six blocks.
