They’re baaaack! For the fifth time in the last six seasons, UMBC volleyball has captured the America East Championship. After a comeback in five sets against Binghamton during Friday’s semifinals, the Retrievers were primed and poised to take on UAlbany in the final at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on Saturday afternoon. UMBC came out on top after four sets, ultimately defeating UAlbany 3-1. This was familiar territory for the Dawgs, marking their third victory over UAlbany in the America East Championships since 2020. 

Digging in their heels

Head coach Kasey Crider acknowledged this season wasn’t without difficulty and highlighted the perseverance of his team. 

“Championships are always hard. They take a sustained effort over months and years, and are chock-full of doubt the entire way. This one was no different,” he shared. “We started the season poorly and needed some things to break our way over the course of the season, but at the end—when it was ‘win-or-go-home’—we put together our two best performances of the year.” 

Crider’s leadership paid off, and, in addition to capturing the title, he and his staff were named America East’s Coaching Staff of the Year. This is the second win for Crider and his staff in the four years he’s been at the helm for UMBC. 

Aces across the board

Crider wasn’t the only Retriever to take home additional accolades. Junior libero Hannah Howard, information systems, was named the America East Defensive Player of the Year for the second time and America East Championship’s Most Outstanding Player after her incredible performance in the championships. Her career-high 32 digs put her in a tie for sixth for the most digs in UMBC single-game history. 

Four Retrievers earned All-Conference honors for the team, including junior outside hitter Jalynn Brown, biological sciences,who joined Howard as an All-Conference First Team selection.

“Winning a championship is our way of showing the world how hard we have worked, all the time and effort spent in the gym, recovering, scouting, and all the extra things,” said Brown. “I love being able to inspire so many people in the community and show what it looks like to achieve your dreams.” 

Attacking the next

For the spectators who felt the electricity in the Arena over the weekend, Crider has a simple explanation: “Sports aren’t magic, but that’s about as close as it gets.” 

The Retrievers will return to NCAA tournament play and will learn their draw during ESPNU’s selection show on Sunday, November 30 at 6 p.m. Follow UMBCAthletics and UMBCvolleyball on social media for updates.