The Highlander men's tennis team had to battle some tough conditions on Wednesday afternoon in their match with Alfred University. Significant wind and a cooler temperature made for a mentally challenging day of tennis. The Highlanders were able to remain focused, execute plays, and hold off the Saxons with an 8-1 win.

The win puts the Highlanders' overall record at 5-4 and keeps them perfect in E8 play at 2-0.

Number three pair Ethan Yung and Ethan Baker scored Houghton's first point of the day with an 8-1 victory over Alfred's Shearer and Bruffey. Second doubles closed out their match with an 8-2 win and first doubles with an 8-5 success.

Senior Zach Shilvock led the Highlanders in singles play with a speedy 6-0, 6-1 win over Logan Cross. The match clincher went to Yung, who won a dominating 6-0, 6-0 match at five singles. The Highlanders picked up additional wins at first, third, and fourth singles, as well as all exhibition matches.

"Today was extremely windy, and it's always interesting to see how the guys are going to respond to something like that. You really can't play the kind of tennis you are used to, or hit the kind of ball you want to in weather like this. So you have to be smart, stay focused, and not let the external factors get to you. I think our guys did a really great job of that today. Very proud to see them handle themselves as well as they did given conditions." – says Head Coach Tonya McGraner​​​​​​

The Highlanders return to play at 12 p.m. this Saturday against Sage in Albany, N.Y.