ALFRED, N.Y.-- The Houghton Volleyball team had an undefeated day at the Empire 8 Crossover at Alfred University, where in the first match they beat the Saxons of Alfred 3-0 followed by another 3-0 victory over the Hartwick College Hawks.

It was in the very first set of the day when the Highlanders set the tone for the two matches. Up 6-4 in the first match set against Alfred, the Highlanders rallied 5 consecutive points to give them an 11-4 lead. A combination of Houghton kills and Alfred attack errors allowed for the Highlanders to limit the Saxons to 15 points, while taking the victory; Houghton won the first set 25-15. 

Alfred put up a fight the second set, tying Houghton on 9 different occasions. The Highlanders and Saxons went neck and neck up until the very end. Two very well executed kills by Jaclyn Algier (Attica, NY, Attica) and Naomi Prentice (Linwood, NY, York Central) gave the Highlanders the 25-22 victory. 

Towards the beginning of the third set, the Highlanders found themselves in a 9-5 score, 4-point deficit. This would be the last time Houghton would be down in the score; the Highlanders managed to rally 7 consecutive points, giving them a 13-8 lead. While holding the Saxons to a minimal 14 points, the Highlanders claimed the 3 set-match victory by winning the third set 25-14. 

Houghton took the momentum from the first match and carried it over into the second match against Hartwick. In the first set, the Highlanders took a 9 point rally that was interrupted one time by the Hawks. The Highlanders claimed the first set win 25-14. For the second set, Houghton made the victory short and sweet; only 9 Highlander kills needed to confirm the 25-9 win

The third and final set would give the Highlanders a day full of nothing but wins; 25-18 third set win allowed for Houghton to go 6-0 on the day.

In the first match against Alfred, Prentice led the way offensively with 10 kills. Defensively, Alyssa Quimby (Northglenn, CO, Community Christian) contributed with 11 digs followed by Laurel Wroblicky (Irvine, CA, Northwood) with 10. Setter Anna Coryell (Phelps, NY, Midlakes) assisted in 28 Highlander points. 

For the second match against Hartwick, many Highlanders contributed to the 3-0 victory. Hattie Burgher (Selkirk, NY, Loudonville Christian) was credited with 7 kills and 11 digs followed by Quimby with 8 digs. Wroblicky had an impressive 14 digs, while Coryell had 22 assists.  

The Highlanders will host the Houghton Tournament next Friday and Saturday, October 31st and November 1st. On Friday, the Highlanders will open with SUNY Cortland at 6pm. For Saturday's matches, Houghton will play Buffalo State at 11am followed by Alfred University at 3pm.