CORTLAND, NY – With a number of new faces gracing the starting lineup, the Houghton Highlanders lost the opening two matches of the season at the Red Dragon Classic to Wells College and Rowan University.
After dropping the opening set to Wells, Houghton battled back to even the match at one set apiece before falling in the final two sets.
The Highlanders recollected themselves in the nightcap, battling a tough Rowan squad to a five-set loss. Down two games-to-one, Houghton turned in their best game of the day, evening the match with a 25-18 win, but could not pull out the victory in the deciding set.
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 1 | Wells – 3
Records: Houghton: 0-1 | Wells: 1-0
Scores: 19-25, 25-19, 17-25, 21-25
Venue: Whitney T. Corey Gymnasium, SUNY Cortland | Attendance:
Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 2 | Rowan – 3
Records: Houghton: 0-2 | Rowan: 2-0
Scores: 25-22, 21-25, 14-25, 25-18, 10-15
Venue: Whitney T. Corey Gymnasium, SUNY Cortland | Attendance:
NOTABLE STATS
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Amy Huddell led the Highlanders with 21 collective kills while
Amber Edwards added 20 kills and 17 digs
>> In the second match
Brooke Lewandowski collected 13 kills and three blocks
>>
Ally Bittinger dished out 33 assists and
Haley Unverdorben added 22
>>
Jenna Bittinger led the team with 26 total digs on the day
COACH'S CORNER
"There's lots of potential with this team. We just need to figure it out. We're starting three new players, so there were some jitters in that first game.
"Amber [Edwards] played really well in both games, as did Brooke [Lewandowski] and Amy [Hudell]. In the second game [against Rowan] Ally [Bittinger] and Haley [Unverdorben] contributed some very solid play. There were lots of good things today; we just need to finish.
"Tomorrow's games will be tough—this is a really good tournament—but it will be a good learning curve for my girls." –Head Coach
Nancy Cole
UP NEXT
The Highlanders continue play at the Red Dragon Classic tomorrow, challenging Stockton University at 12:30 p.m. and RIT at 3:00 p.m.
