FREDONIA, NY – The Houghton Highlanders picked up another split this afternoon at SUNY Fredonia, defeating the SUNY Canton Roos in a grueling five-set match before falling to the host Blue Devils in straight sets.
 
The Roos came out swinging, racking up 17 kills in the first set, in route to a 25-20 win.
 
Houghton, however, stormed back to back-to-back wins, including a dramatic 25-23 victory in the third set, to go up two games-to-one. 
 
SUNY Canton returned the favor in the fourth, turning in another strong hitting performance, but the Highlanders rallied to take the fifth game, 15-11. 
 
Amber Edwards posted a career high 20 kills, and Ally Bittinger picked up another double-double  (16 kills, 11 digs) in the victory.
 
Haley Unverdorben also dished out a career-high 40 assists.
 
After finishing off the exhilarating win, the exhausted Highlanders quickly turned around to face a strong SUNY Fredonia squad. 
 
While Houghton showed improvement in each game, the Blue Devils took the match in straight sets.
 
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 3 | SUNY Canton – 2
Records: Houghton: 8-14 | SUNY Canton: 9-11
Scores: 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 15-11
Venue: Dods Hall Gymnasium, SUNY Fredonia | Attendance: 30

Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 0 | SUNY Fredonia – 3
Records: Houghton: 8-15 | SUNY Fredonia: 16-6
Scores: 13-25, 14-25, 21-25
Venue: Dods Hall Gymnasium, SUNY Fredonia | Attendance: 60

NOTABLE STATS
>> Edwards and Bittinger finished their day with 26 and 22 kills apiece, respectively.  To date, Bittinger has posted four triple-doubles, and an additional seven double-doubles this season.
 
>> Unverdorben collected 56 assists over the two matches, and Morgan Potempa led the Highlanders with 26 digs.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"It was great to finally finish a five-set match!  Amber [Edwards] and Ally [Bittinger] played a very nice game.
 
"Fredonia is a solid team and we were tired.  I was really glad to get the win [over SUNY Canton]." – Head Coach Nancy Cole
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Buffalo on Tuesday to face the Buffalo State Bengals at 7:00 p.m.