HOUGHTON, NY – After losing the first set, the Houghton Highlanders stormed back to take three straight from the visiting Elmira Soaring Eagles, kicking off the Empire 8 conference schedule with a victory.
 
After Elmira won the first set in commanding fashion, the Highlanders made several tactical adjustments and returned the favor in the second.
 
Late in the third set, a kill by Lauren Smith brought the Soaring Eagles with two points, 19-21, but Ally Bittinger responded with two straight kills and Brooke Lewandowski added a third to give the Highlanders game point.  While Elmira continued to battle, picking up two more points, Houghton pulled out the set to go up, 2-1.
 
Houghton charged out of the gate in the fourth set, eventually building a 14-8 lead.  The Soaring Eagles, however, would reel off five straight points to pull within one.  With the Highlanders up, 22-21, Ally Bittinger again pounded home a vital kill and Jenna Bittinger followed with a service ace. 
 
Elmira picked up the next two points before Lewandowski slammed home her fourth kill of the night for the final point of the match.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Elmira – 1
Records: Houghton: 2-9 (1-0 Empire 8) | Elmira: 4-7 (0-1 Empire 8)
Scores: 13-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-23
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 103

NOTABLE STATS
>> Amber Edwards tied her career high with 16 kills.  She also added 13 digs to complete her fourth double-double of the season.
 
>> Ally Bittinger picked up her team-leading fifth double-double of the season, collecting 15 assists and 10 digs.  She also added eight kills.
 
>> Haley Unverdorben dished out 18 assists and Morgan Potempa led the team with 14 digs.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We've been in this situation before, so it was good to see us string together three straight games.  We played more consistently and made good adjustments.
 
"Amber [Edwards] played incredibly well and gave us a boost in several situations.
 
"After we lost the first set we told our setters to set to the pins and let our hitters hit to the ones and sixes, which they did.  We also reminded the team that they are good enough, and they could win the next game.
 
"I was really proud of how well played, especially at home." –Head Coach Nancy Cole
 
UP NEXT
Houghton continues Empire 8 conference play on Saturday with a tri-match doubleheader in The Nielsen Center.  The Highlanders will challenge Hartwick College at 11:00 a.m. before taking on St. John Fisher College at 4:00 p.m.