LOCATION: PE Gym - Albany, N.Y.

SCORE: UAlbany 3, Binghamton 0 (28-26, 25-17, 25-20)

RECORD: UAlbany 6-7, 1-0 America East | Binghamton 5-9, 0-1 America East

SHORT STORY: The Great Danes opened America East play with a statement sweep over Binghamton on Friday night at home.

COACH JOSH PICKARD: "Great start to the conference season. Offensive distribution was great. We moved the ball around across our attackers and had a lot of success. Our service pressure also allowed us to get a great setup on our defense. Excited to get a start like this."

KEY STATS

• Graduate outside hitter Shynelle Woroniuk finished with 15 kills, 7 digs, and 2 blocks.

• Graduate opposite Kendall Harris contributed 9 kills on .333 hitting.

• Redshirt-junior middle blocker Gabriella Karman added 7 kills, 4 blocks, and 2 aces.

• Sophomore setter Maria Olga Siapani totaled 27 assists, 12 digs, and 2 aces, hitting a perfect 1.000 with 8 kills on 8 swings.

• Redshirt-junior libero Brooke Malek led all defenders with 14 digs and 2 aces.

• Sophomore defensive specialist Kasia Barletta chipped in 12 digs and 2 aces.
   

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first set was a battle, featuring 16 ties and 7 lead changes. 

• UAlbany fought off two set points, using kills from Siapani and Woroniuk to even the score before closing on back-to-back points for a 28-26 win.

• The Danes took control in the second, building a 15-10 lead behind Karman's serving and Wilson's swings at the net. 

• Malek steadied the defense, and Woroniuk sealed the set 25-17 with a cross-court kill.

• UAlbany carried momentum into the third, racing to an early 12-7 advantage after a Harris block and Barletta ace. 

• The Bearcats pulled within three late, but Siapani's perfect hitting night and Woroniuk's consistency helped the Danes finish 25-20 for the sweep.
   

NEXT: UAlbany continues America East play on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Bryant at 1:00 PM.