BOSTON – The spring 2021 America East Volleyball Championship is on the doorstep with one match separating two teams from an NCAA berth. To cap off a unique season, UAlbany and UMBC will vie for the title on Friday, April 2 at 7 p.m. The match will air on AmericaEast.TV.
Tickets for the match will not be sold to the general public. A maximum of 100 spectators will be admitted and attendees will be limited to guests of UAlbany and UMBC student-athletes, coaches and athletic directors only. Those guest must be identifed 48 priors to competition and show proper identification to be allowed entry.
The two teams shared the spring 2021 regular season title with 9-3 records in conference play. The Great Danes defeated the Retrievers twice this season, earning the tiebreaker and right to host the title match. It is the first #AEVB regular season title for UMBC and its highest finish since 2013. The Great Danes have been deemed regular-season champs for the third time in four years. It is the first time two teams have shared the regular season crown since 2015.
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UAlbany Great Danes (10-4, 9-3)
- UAlbany earned the right to host the championship for the third time in four years as regular season champs.
- The Great Danes are seeking their second consecutive #AEVB championship.
- They would be the third consecutive team to win back-to-back titles.
- The Great Danes lead the league in blocks, averaging 2.11 per set.
- They also rank second in digs with 17.46 per set.
- Junior Charlotte Macken leads the league in digs with 4.52 per set.
- Senior Danielle Tedesco’s .351 hitting percentage is second-best in #AEVB.
UMBC Retrievers (10-3, 9-3)
- UMBC earns at least a share of the regular season title for the first time in program history.
- The Retrievers are making their first postseason appearance since 2016.
- The last time the team finished second it went to the title game in 2013, coming up short to New Hampshire.
- The Retrievers lead the league in hitting percentage at .217.
- Their 12.07 assists per set rank second.
- Freshman Aysia Miller is averaging 10.57 assists per set, good for second in the conference.
- The Retrievers are seeking their first NCAA Division I Tournament berth.
The Matchup
- UAlbany swept the regular season series winning 3-1 and 3-2.
- The Great Danes have won the previous nine meetings.
- The last time the teams met in the postseason was in the 2016 semifinals where UAlbany won in straight sets.
- UMBC’s last win was at UAlbany in the 2016 regular season.
- The Retrievers’ last win over the Great Danes in championship play was in the 2013 semifinals.
- The last time the two teams met in the championship match was 2010 in which UAlbany defeated UMBC 3-0.
- The teams also met in the title match in 2006.
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