HOUGHTON, NY – Ally Bittinger posted back-to-back triple-doubles as the Houghton Highlanders picked up a pair of much-need, non-conference, victories on Saturday afternoon.  The Highlanders defeated the Misericordia Cougars and the Alfred State Pioneers, both by scores of 3-1.
 
Game #1 Recap:
With the match tied, one game apiece, the Highlanders and Cougars battled deep into the third set.  After a Houghton service error and an attack error, the game was knotted, 23-23, when the Highlanders picked up the final two points to tip the scales in their favor, two games-to-one.
 
 The Cougars jumped out to an early 11-7 lead in the fourth set, but Houghton rallied to take nine of the next 11 points.  Misericordia closed in again, tying the score three times, eventually evening the score, 23-23.
 
A service error game the Highlanders a one point lead and Kaylee Haller put away a set from Ally Bittinger to end the game.
 
Game #2 Recap:
The Highlanders and Pioneers traded the first two games and battled back-and-forth throughout the opening of the third before Houghton reeled off nine of 11 points to take a commanding, 18-12, lead.  Houghton picked up a pair of late kills from Amber Edwards before Amy Huddell ended the game with an emphatic kill from the middle.
 
The two teams battled to a 16-16 tie in the fourth, before kills by Edwards and Ally Bittinger sent the Highlanders on a 4-0 run.  While the teams traded points to the end, a pair of kills by Bittinger pushed Houghton to their second victory of the day.
 
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 3 | Misericordia – 1
Records: Houghton: 4-12 | Misericordia: 11-8
Scores: 25-19, 24-26, 25-23, 25-23
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 142


Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 3 | Alfred State – 1
Records: Houghton: 5-12 | Alfred State: 6-6
Scores: 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 25-20
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 132

NOTABLE STATS
>> In game one Ally Bittinger posted 10 kills, 18 assists and 13 digs, before turning around in game two to collect 11 kills, 10 assists and 10 digs.  She now has five triple-doubles on the season.
 
>> Amber Edwards posted double-digit kills in both game, picking up 11 and 16, respectively.  She has now reached double-digit kills in each of the last eight matches and 13 times this season.
 
>> Haley Unverdorben posted 48 assists on the day, including a new career-high of 31 assists against Alfred State.
 
>> Morgan Potempa led the Highlanders with 30 total digs on the day.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I'm very thankful that we were able to finish some games. We changed lineup in last set, putting Ally outside and having Haley set more, and [the team] made a really good adjustment.  That was really good to see, and that's a lineup we may use more in the future.
 
Amber [Edwards] and Ally [Bittinger] had very good weekends and Brooke [Lewandowski] played really well today.  [Morgan Potempa] was consistent again, and that helped us a lot." – Head Coach Nancy Cole
 
UP NEXT
On Thursday, October 4 the Highlanders take on the D'Youville Spartans at 7:00 p.m. in the Nielsen Center at Houghton College.