HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton Highlanders survived an early scare from the Sage Gators, relying on a dominant service game to win their 18^th match of the season in straight sets.
 
The Highlanders established a new season-high with 17 service aces, eight of which came from Haley Unverdorben, who leads the team with 55 this season.  In the third set, they also received four straight aces from Lydia Catalino. 

With the win the Highlanders secured the number two seed in the Empire 8 conference tournament, their highest regular season finish since becoming eligible in 2014.
 
The Gators raced out to an early 13-9 lead in the first, thanks in large part to eight Houghton attack errors, but the Highlanders quickly regained their footing, and the momentum.  A kill by Brooke Lewandowski broke the Gators serve and Unverdorben ripped off six straight service points to give Houghton the lead.
 
The set remained close until the Highlanders, clinging to a 19-18 lead, won four straight service points and eventually capped the match on an Amy Huddell kill and a Morgan Potempa service ace.
 
Houghton rolled through the next two sets, winning their 11^th and 12^th consecutive sets.  They have not lost a set since the first set against Nazareth on October 12.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Sage – 0
Records: Houghton: 18-4 (5-1 Empire 8) | Sage: 4-21 (1-5 Empire 8)
Scores: 25-20, 25-13, 25-18
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 142

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton has now won 11 of their last 12 matches.  They have won nine matches this season in straight sets.
 
>> In addition to her service game, Unverdorben also finished the match with 27 assists, seven digs and three kills.
 
>> Lewandowski posted a match-high nine kills, while fellow-middle Huddell added seven kills.
 
>> Megan Ryder led the Gators with five kills and 10 digs.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center tomorrow afternoon for their final regular season conference matchup when they will take on Utica College at 2:00 p.m.