KEUKA, NY—In their opening matches  of the year, the Highlanders rallied in the fifth and final set to defeat the host Keuka College Wolves (0-1), 3-2, then defeated SUNY Delhi (0-1) in straight sets.
 
Houghton opened strong, taking the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-21, before the Wolves stormed back to take the next two games, 25-19 and 25-16.
 
With the momentum in their favor, Keuka jumped out to a 12-10 lead in the final set before Ally Bittinger picked up a kill and three straight service points to put the Highlanders within a point of the win. 
 
The Wolves rallied to within one, but Erica Barney finished the game with a kill to give the Highlanders the victory.
 
Bittinger led the Highlanders with nine total kills, 13 digs and four aces.  Barney added eight kills and 14 digs, while setter Anna Coryell picked up 28 assists.  BreAnna Vogelsong added 15 digs.
 
In the second  match of the night, the Highlanders won a back-and-forth battle in the first game, 25-22, before settling in to take the final two sets, 25-15 and 25-15.
 
Naomi Prentice racked up nine kills and three blocks, while Erica Barney added five kills and four blocks. 
 
Vogelsong again collected 15 digs, as did Rebekah White.
 
"It was really nice to start the season with two wins," commented head coach Nancy Cole.  "There is still a lot to work on with such a young team, but we have already seen much improvement in just two weeks.  We showed our heart when we came back in the fifth set [against Keuka] after being down and losing the two previous sets."