CORTLAND, NY – On Day Two of the SUNY Cortland Red Dragon Classic, the Houghton Highlanders lost both matches, first to the Stockton University Osprey, then to the eventual tournament champion University of Rochester Yellowjackets.
 
While the Highlanders stayed close in all three matches against the Osprey, Stockton pulled off a clean sweep, thanks in large part to their defense.
 
Houghton then battled closely with the currently-undefeated Yellowjackets through two losses in the first two sets before pulling off an impressive win in the third.  Rochester rebounded quickly, though, winning the fourth set to secure the tournament championship.
 
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 0 | Stockton – 3
Records: Houghton: 0-3 | Stockton: 2-2
Scores: 21-25, 20-25, 19-25
Venue: Whitney T. Corey Gymnasium, SUNY Cortland | Attendance: 50

Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 1 | Rochester – 3
Records: Houghton: 0-4 | Rochester: 4-0
Scores: 20-25, 19-25, 25-20, 11-25
Venue: Whitney T. Corey Gymnasium, SUNY Cortland | Attendance:

NOTABLE STATS
>> Amber Edwards 20 posted a team-high 20 kills over the two matches for Houghton, while Ally Bittinger added 12 kills and 23 assists
>> Brooke Lewandowski added 13 kills and four blocks and Haley Unverdorben dished out 23 assists
>> Morgan Potempa led the Highlanders with 26 digs
>> While Stockton took all three sets, the Highlanders and Osprey statline remained fairly balanced in all but one category: the Osprey's defense corralled 52 digs, while the Highlanders collected 29.
>> The Highlanders' third-set victory against Rochester marked only the second set the Yellowjackets have lost in their first four matches.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We're doing good things and just trying to figure it all out.  It will come.
 
"Amber [Edwards] had another pair of good games, as did Brooke [Lewandowski], and Ally [Bittinger] and Haley [Unverdorben] ran the court well.
 
"Overall, I'm very excited about this team." –Head Coach Nancy Cole
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to action on Wednesday, September 5, when they will host the Hilbert College Hawks at the Nielsen Center at 7:00 p.m.