BUFFALO, NY – In a rematch of the first match of the season, the Houghton Highlanders defeated the D'Youville Spartans, this time in straight sets.
 
Brooke Lewandowski posted 15 kills, her second-highest total of the season, and Haley Unverdorben collected 35 assists in the win. 
 
After cruising through the first set, the Highlanders trailed late in the second, 19-15, but a pair of kills by Amy Huddell, another by Jenna Bittinger, and an ace from Jaimee Glendenning tied the score.
 
The two teams then traded a pair of points apiece before Houghton rallied to win the final four points of the set.
 
The Spartans again gave the Highlanders a run for their money in the third, leading by as many as nine points midway through the set, and holding a commanding lead late, 23-17.  Houghton, however, as they have done so many times this season, dug deep and did not allow their opponent to score again.  The Highlanders reeled off eight straight points, seven of which came of the serves of Jenna Bittinger, who fittingly ended the match with an ace. 
 
GAME VITALS
Match Score: Houghton – 3 | D'Youville – 0
Set Scores: 25-18, 25-21, 25-23
Records: Houghton: 16-4 | D'Youville: 3-14
Venue: College Center Gym, D'Youville College | Attendance: 85

NOTABLE STATS
>> Lewandowski notched her highest kill total of the season (19) on September 11 in a four-set loss to Pitt-Bradford.  Her 15 kills tonight, however, were the most kills per set (5.0) this season.
 
>> Houghton's 16 victories this season are the most by a Highlander volleyball team since 2015, when they finished 20-11.  Their current 16-4 record is the best start to a season since 1998, when the team started 16-3 and finished 27-9.
 
>> Sarah Wittek and Talia Wright led the Spartans with 10 kills and 15 digs, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to conference play on Tuesday, October 22 when they travel to Alfred University to take on the Saxons at 7:00 p.m.