HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Houghton volleyball stretched its win streak to four matches as they defeated Alfred State and Geneseo with identical 3-1 scores at home Saturday.
The Highlanders opened the day with a four set win over Alfred State (25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 32-30). After falling in the first two sets, the Pioneers, who entered the day with a 15-1 record, responded with strong play over the next two sets. They took a win in set three and then forced the final set into extra points before the Highlanders were able to escape with the victory.
Hattie Burgher (Selkirk, NY, Loudonville Christian) turned in a strong hitting performance with 12 kills and a .289 attack percentage, while contributing 21 digs.
Kayla Bernard (Aubrey, TX, Cisco CC) added 21 digs, and
Erica Barney (Vestal, NY, Vestal) finished with 11 kills and 18 digs.
Anna Coryell (Phelps, NY, Midlakes) had 35 assists.
Against Geneseo, the Highlanders won 25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 25-21. This match rolled out in an identical manner as the first, with Houghton taking the first two sets, losing the third, and responding with a close win in the decisive set. In that final set, it looked like Geneseo was going to even the score at two sets apiece. The Blue Devils jumped out to an early four-point lead, and after the Highlanders tied it back up, the visitors pushed the advantage to 20-16. Houghton, however, pressed on the attack and took advantage of some Geneseo miscues to score seven-straight points to go up 23-20. Geneseo scored once more before the hosts closed it out with the final two points of the match.
Meagan Palm (Lakeland, FL, Lakeland Christian) and Burgher finished with 13 and 12 kills, respectively, to lead the attack. Burgher added 12 digs. Bernard finished with 18 digs, Barney had 14 digs and eight kills, while Coryell contributed 37 assists and 10 digs.
"I'm really proud of the girls for getting two wins against solid competition and being able to come from behind and finish in that fourth set against Geneseo," said Head Coach Nancy Cole. "Anna did a really good job of moving the ball around well, and the girls did great defensively."
Houghton (12-7) takes to the road of their next contest, an Empire 8 matchup at St. John Fisher on Wednesday, October 7.
