GRANTHAM, PA – Despite a milestone performance from Houghton setter Anna Coryell, the Highlanders lost their last six sets, dropping both matches of a tri-match doubleheader against York College (Pa) and Messiah College.
 
Late in the third set against the Messiah Falcons, Coryell set her favorite target, Naomi Prentice, who delivered the big hit that gave Coryell 3,000 assists in her four-year career.  Prentice has been Coryell's favorite target over the past four years, racking up 827 kills, the vast majority of which have come from Coryell.
 
Leading 13-8 in the first set against York, Houghton reeled off seven straight points, five on kills by four different Highlanders and two service aces by Morgan Potempa.  Minutes later the Highlanders finished off the set with a kill and an ace from Ally Bittinger.
 
The Spartans, however, would recapture the momentum, racking up 35 kills and 17 service aces over the next three sets to defeat the Highlanders.
 
Messiah came out of the gates swinging.  The Falcons ripped off 18 kills in the first set and 52 for the three-set match.
 
After losing the first set, Houghton fell behind 10-18 in the second before winning six straight points to pull within two.  Messiah pulled ahead again, leading 22-16, but Houghton won seven of the next nine points.  Down by one with the serve, the Highlanders could not stop the Falcons one more time, falling 23-25.
 
The third set looked much like the second.  The Falcons never trailed, but Houghton kept the game close throughout.  Down 24-21, Erica Barney drilled home a kill, followed by a Falcon attack error to come within one.  Messiah, however, would not be stopped three times in a row, and finally nailed home the winning kill to take the match.
 
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 1 | York – 3
Records: Houghton: 5-6 | York: 8-4
Scores: 25-12, 10-25, 20-25, 12-25
Venue: Brubaker Gymnasium, Messiah College | Attendance: 150

Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 0 | Messiah – 3
Records: Houghton: 5-7 | Messiah: 3-7 
Scores: 14-25, 23-25, 23-25
Venue: Brubaker Gymnasium, Messiah College | Attendance: 250

NOTABLE STATS
>> Coryell collected a total of 45 assists and 13 digs.  She now has 3,003 assists in her career. 
>> Bittinger posted 20 kills and Barney added 10 kills and 25 digs.  Barney is now only 18 digs away from her own milestone of 1,000 for her career.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We came out really strong against York with strong serves and defense to win the first game.  In the remainder of the games we struggled with serve receive and the ability to finish out our points.
 
"We had a slow start against Messiah dug in and fought back into the games.  Even though we lost we showed a lot of potential in these games.
 
"Our bench and really stepped up and played well today."—Coach Brianne Starks
 
UP NEXT
Houghton travels to Alfred State on Tuesday, September 19 to take on the Pioneers at 7:00 p.m.