HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Houghton volleyball earned two key conference wins Saturday, taking 3-0 victories over Alfred and Hartwick in a home tri-match.
Houghton beat Alfred, 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-15) then closed the day with a sweep of Hartwick (25-21, 25-23, 25-17).
"Consistent play for us today was key to finishing both matches in three," said Houghton coach Nancy Cole. "We started out a little slow with Alfred but were able to step up our game. These two key wins move us closer to qualifying for our conference tourney."
The Highlanders (15-7; 5-1 E8) have now won seven-straight and nine of their last 10 matches.
Against Alfred, the Houghton attack would not be denied as the team turned in a .387 attack percentage. They had 45 kills with just nine errors in 93 total attacks.
Hattie Burgher (Selkirk, NY, Loudonville Christian) produced 13 kills and seven digs, while
Meagan Palm (Lakeland, FL, Lakeland Christian) and
Naomi Prentice (Linwood, NY, York Central) each reached double figures in kills with 10 apiece.
Anna Coryell (Phelps, NY, Midlakes) finished with 34 assists and eight digs.
Kayla Bernard (Aubrey, TX, Cisco CC) had 13 digs to lead the defense.
Houghton's attack was equally impressive at .245, but the Hawks made them work for it. The hosts opened a seven point lead midway through first set before the Hawks closed to 23-21 late. Houghton took advantage of a service error to get to set point and closed it out with a block from Meagan Palm and
Erica Barney (Vestal, NY, Vestal).
Set two was another challenge early as the visitors opened up a 5-1 lead. Houghton responded to tie it at seven, then got six-straight points to go up 13-8. The teams would battle it out over the next series of points before the Hawks evened the score at 15. The teams exchanged runs, with Houghton scoring four-straight to stretch the advantage to 19-15, then the Hawks closing to 18-19. With the score tied at 22, Houghton scored three of the final four points to get the win. Palm closed it with a kill.
Burgher led with 11 kills while adding six digs and Coryell had 31 assists to go along with five digs. Bernard finished with 18 digs.
Houghton returns to action against Fredonia in a home contest on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
