HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The Houghton Highlanders picked up their second straight victory, and third in their last four matches, downing the Hilbert Hawks in four sets on Thursday night.
 
A well-balanced attack and a stingy defense propelled the Highlanders past the Hawks, as five Houghton players collected at least six kills, and four posted double-digit dig totals.
 
The win puts Houghton back over the .500 mark as they head into a critical weekend tri-match against conference foes Utica College and Ithaca College.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 3 | Hilbert – 1 (25-14, 25-17, 22-25, 25-17)
Records: Houghton: 11-10 | Hilbert: 5-18
Venue: The Nielsen Center  | Attendance: 87
 
Key Moments
>> Holding a slim 8-7 advantage in the second set, the Highlanders reeled off six straight points thanks in part to kills by Jaime Glendenning, Erica Barney and two by Naomi Prentice.  Houghton continue to separate throughout the set, taking a two-set advantage.
 
>> The Hawks refused to quit, playing a tough third set.  With Houghton holding a narrow 15-14 lead, Hilbert took off on a six-point run and, despite a late comeback by the Highlanders, held on to take the third set, 25-22.
 
>> Hilbert carried the momentum in the fourth set, nabbing the first four points, before a Prentice kill and a pair of Hawk attack errors brought the Highlanders within one.  Houghton soon recaptured the lead but was unable to separate until a pair of kills by Kaylee Haller put the Highlanders up, 16-11.
 
Key Stats
>> Erica Barney and Anna Coryell both picked up double-doubles on the night.  Barney posted team-highs in both kills (14) and digs (23).  Coryell collected 35 assists and 12 digs, and also added six kills.
 
The double-doubles were Barney's fourth of the season and Coryell's sixth.
 
>> Naomi Prentice and Sidney Pow chipped in 11 and seven kills, respectively, with Pow posting an impressive .462 attack percentage.
 
>> As a team the Highlanders put up 88 digs, their second highest total of the season.

Coach's Corner
"We had a really well balanced attack tonight, and we hit very well.  Anna [Coryell] really distributed the ball well.
 
"I know they were missing one of their starting middles and we were able to take advantage during that rotation.
 
"Overall, I was very pleased with how we played." –Coach Nancy Cole

Next Time Out
Houghton returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Ithaca College for conference matchups with the Utica College Pioneers at 1:30 p.m. and the host Bombers at 4:00 p.m.
 
Utica is currently in last place in the Empire 8 (6-24, 0-6), while Ithaca ranks second in the conference (20-4, 5-1).  Houghton is currently tied with Alfred University for fifth place.