HOUGHTON, NY – On a hard-hit attack early in the first set, Houghton senior Erica Barney collected the 1,000 dig of her career; a pass to setter Anna Coryell.
 
Barney would finish the match with eight digs (and seven kills), but the Highlanders could not overcome the visiting Stevens Ducks in the opener of today's tri-match, falling in three sets. 
 
In the first two sets the Highlanders played on par early, but the Ducks pulled ahead late in both. In the third Stevens jumped out to an early 11-2 lead and never looked back.
 
Houghton bounced back in the afternoon match, defeating the Utica Pioneers in straight sets.  In all three sets the Highlanders never trailed after the midway point.
 
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 0 | Stevens – 3
Records: Houghton: 6-8 (0-1 Empire 8) | Stevens: 14-2 (3-0 Empire 8)
Scores: 20-25, 18-25, 15-25
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 72


Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 3 | Utica – 0
Records: Houghton: 7-8 (1-1 Empire 8) | Utica: 3-12 (0-3 Empire 8) 
Scores: 25-16, 25-14, 25-12
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College| Attendance: 65

NOTABLE STATS
>> Barney finished her day 11 kills and 19 digs, giving her a present total of 1,017 digs for her career.
>> Anna Coryell collected 51 assists (8.5/set)on the day.
>> Ally Bittinger posted 16 kills and four service aces, and Naomi Prentice added 13 kills, including 10 against Utica.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I was very happy with the way the team played today.  There were a few small errors that we will work to correct in the next couple days, but I was glad to see how well the girls worked together and continued to fight, especially against as strong a team as Stevens." – Coach Brianne Starks
 
UP NEXT
On Tuesday the Highlanders will travel to Rochester to take on St. John Fisher in the team's third straight Empire 8 matchup.  Game time is set to start at 7:00 p.m.  Last season the Cardinals defeated the Highlanders in straight sets.