HOUGHTON, NY – Despite winning the first two games, the Houghton Highlanders could not stave off a comeback to the LaRoche Redhawks, falling in five sets at the Nielsen Center.
 
With the Highlanders leading, 7-4, in the third set, the Redhawks reeled off six straight points, and nine of the next 10 to go up, 13-8.  Houghton would later draw within three points, but could come no closer.
 
In the fourth set, Houghton led 16-11 before LaRoche made another run, eventually capturing the lead, 18-17.  The two teams then traded points to a tie, 21-21, before the Redhawks capitalized on two kills and two Houghton attack errors to take the final four points.
 
With the match now tied at two games apiece, the teams traded points, eventually knotting the score at 10 points apiece.  From there, the Redhawks took advantage of two kills and three Houghton attack errors to complete the comeback win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 2 | LaRoche – 3
Records: Houghton: 3-12 | LaRoche: 6-10
Scores: 25-21, 25-20, 19-25, 21-25, 12-15
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 93

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton held advantages in points (69-64.5), service aces (10-4) and blocks (9-5), but LaRoche tallied more kills (55-50) and digs (98-83).
 
>> Ally Bittinger picked up her sixth straight double-double, eighth overall, with 11 kills and 23 assists.
 
>> Amber Edwards collected 14 kills and 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the season.
 
>> Morgan Potempa led the Highlanders with 23 digs, whileBrooke Lewandowski posted nine kills and four blocks.
 
>> Laura Nath led the Redhawks with 23 kills and 20 digs.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"The difference in the game was when their team stepped up, our team didn't respond with the same intensity.  After the first two sets we simply made too many mistakes.
 
"I was proud of how our three new players played.  Hopefully we will make some adjustments and come back ready to improve tomorrow." –Head Coach Nancy Cole
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders are back in action tomorrow, when they take on Misericordia University at 1:00 p.m. and cross-county rival Alfred State College at 3:00 p.m. in a non-conference tri-match at the Nielsen Center.