HOBOKEN, NJ – The Houghton Highlanders picked up a split at today's Empire 8 tri-match, losing to Stevens Institute of Technology in the opening game, 3-0, then defeating Utica College, 3-1, to draw back to .500 in conference play.
Game #1 Recap: The Ducks held the Highlanders offense in check, limiting Houghton to only 26 kills and 23 errors in 114 attempts.
Meanwhile, Stevens collected 36 kills in 89 attempts while committing only seven errors.
Game #2 Recap: In the opening set, the Highlanders scored early and often. Led by
Amber Edwards, who reeled off six straight service points to give Houghton an 11-5 lead, Houghton put together a much more complete effort to gain an early win.
Houghton again opened a commanding lead in the second set, and continued to play well throughout.
Ally Bittinger capped the win with an impressive kill to put the Highlanders up, 2-0.
Utica battled back to take the third game, but Houghton found their composure, jumping out to an early lead and never looked back, winning the fourth set, 25-11.
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 0 | Stevens – 3
Records: Houghton: 6-13 (2-3 Empire 8)| Stevens: 16-4 (4-0 Empire 8)
Scores: 19-25, 13-25, 12-25
Venue: Canavan Arena, Stevens Institute of Technology | Attendance: 96
Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 3 | Utica – 1
Records: Houghton: 7-13 (3-3 Empire 8) | Utica: 3-13 (1-3 Empire 8)
Scores: 25-19, 25-16, 19-25, 25-11
Venue: Canavan Arena, Stevens Institute of Technology | Attendance: 73
NOTABLE STATS
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Haley Unverdorben collected 53 assists on the day, including 35 against the Pioneers.
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Amber Edwards posted 20 total kills, including her 10
th double-double of the season against Utica, when she tallied 15 kills and 12 digs.
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Morgan Potempa led the team with 33 digs, including 22 in the second game. She has now eclipsed the 20-dig mark in a game four times this season.
COACH'S CORNER
"We changed our lineup a bit and ran a 5/1 today with Haley setting. She did very well. Our middles were more dominant today, and Amber [Edwards] had a great second match.
"Our pin hitters struggled in the first match against a strong blocking and defensive team. As we knew, Stevens plays a clean, consistent game, and we couldn't match that this morning." -Head Coach
Nancy Cole
UP NEXT
The Highlanders begin a seven-game road swing on Tuesday, when they travel to Geneseo to take on the SUNY Geneseo Knights at 7:00 p.m.