HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton Highlanders overcame a rough start to defeat the Nazareth Golden Flyers, 3-1, and move into sole possession of second place in the Empire 8 standings.
 
Houghton opened a 7-2 lead in the first set before the Golden Flyers caught fire, outscoring the Highlanders 23-9 the rest of the way.
 
Nazareth stayed on pace early in the second, jumping out to a 12-6 advantage before Houghton finally began to gain ground.  With the score tied, 22-22, Brooke Lewandowski slammed home a kill and an attack error gave the Highlanders set-point.  A Houghton service error brought the Golden Flyers within one, but Lewandowski struck again, pounding home the final point on an emphatic kill.
 
The third set brought more of the same, with Houghton clinging to a slim lead throughout.  With Nazareth threatening late in the set, Jaimee Glendenning put away a kill to put Houghton up 24, 21.  Nazareth answered with a kill of their own, but Ally Bittinger finished the set with a hard kill.
 
Houghton seized the momentum, racing out to an 18-12 advantage in the fourth, but Nazareth quickly reeled off six straight to tie the set.  The Highlanders regained the lead and clung to a two-point lead, 22-20 with the Golden Flyers serving.  An attack error by the Golden Flyers gave Houghton a side-out and back-to-back kills by Glendenning and Jenna Bittinger finished the match.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Nazareth – 1
Records: Houghton: 15-4 (3-1 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 10-10 (3-2 Empire 8)
Scores: 16-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College  | Attendance: 117

NOTABLE STATS
>> Haley Unverdorben dished out 36 assists and collected a team-high 15 digs for the Highlanders.
 
>> Amy Huddell (12 kills), Ally Bittinger (11 kills, 10 digs) and Jenna Bittinger (10 kills) each notched double digits kills for the match.
 
>> Nazareth was led by Melissa Newcomb (16 kills), Delaney Martin (15 kills) and Jessica Barry (37 assists).
 
COACH'S CORNER
"That was a great win, especially after that first set.  We showed some tremendous grit and battled back the same we've done several times this season.
 
"Our girls have developed a mindset that expects to win and moves on quickly when things [don't go our way].  They enjoy playing with each other and show tremendous heart." –Coach Joshua Tompkins
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to D'Youville College on Thursday, October 17 to take on the Spartans at 7:00 p.m.  Houghton defeated the Spartans earlier this season, 3-1, on August 31.