The Hofstra Volleyball team won the first set against Binghamton but was unable to continue its strong early play as they dropped the next three sets and fell in four games to the Bearcats on Saturday morning at the 2008 BGSU Best Western Invitational in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Hofstra got a team-best 12 kills from junior right side Monica Knight, with junior outside hitter Harmonie Calinda added seven kills and 16 digs despite missing a portion of the third stanza with an injury.

Hofstra, which dropped its first match in four chances to a team from New York State in 2008, fell to 5-7 with its second straight loss.  Binghamton improved to 4-9 with the win.

Knight led Hofstra in the first set as she contributed six kills on 11 attempts with no errors for a .545 hitting percentage.  Leading by just one, 16-15, after a kill from Michelle McDonough of Binghamton, Hofstra scored five of the next six points in the stanza to take a commanding 21-16 lead and they would go on to earn the 25-20 victory.

The Bearcats would even the match at one set apiece with a 25-21 win in the second stanza as they held Hofstra to a negative .030 attack percentage.  Binghamton took an 18-17 lead on a kill from Ashley Alllen and never looked back in posting the four-point win.

Hofstra would need to make a comeback to win the match as Binghamton rolled to an easy 25-15 victory in third set to take a two sets to one lead in the match.  The Bearcats hit a robust .310 in the third stanza, while Pride hit at a zero clip with seven kills and seven errors on 33 attempts.

A kill from senior outside hitter Lauren Engle tied the fourth stanza at 19, but Hofstra was unable to use that momentum as Binghamton scored the next five points before a kill from freshman middle blocker Taylor Moore ended the run.  Anna Legina would end the match on the next point with a kill, sending the Bearcats to their fourth win of the season.

Sophomore libero Jenna Connell picked up team-high 18 digs for the Pride, while Moore added nine kills and three blocks in the match.

Anna Legina led Binghamton with 23 kills, with McDonough added 13 kills and 12 digs in a winning effort.

Hofstra concludes play at the 2008 BGSU Best Western Invitational this evening when they take on Bowling Green at 7 p.m.

-30-