ELMIRA, NY – Haley Unverdorben set a new career-high with 53 assists, and four Houghton players posted double-digit kills as the Highlanders defeated the Elmira Soaring Eagles, 3-1, to open conference play. 
 
After Elmira took the first set, the Soaring Eagles battled to set-point in the second, 24-22.  Back-to-back kills by Ally Bittinger and Unverdorben, allow with an Elmira attack error, flipped the script, giving Houghton set-point, 25-24.  The Soaring Eagles quickly tied the game on a Houghton service error, but back-to-back kills by Amy Huddell and Jenna Bittinger sealed the set for Houghton, tying the match at one game apiece.
 
Houghton won another seesaw match in the third, as Ally Bittinger put away the set-winner to win by two points, 25-23.
 
In the fourth set, Houghton jumped out to a commanding lead early, and led 24-16 late in the set before Elmira reeled off four straight points.  But Unverdorben found Brooke Lewandowski for her 10^th kill of the match for the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Elmira – 1
Records: Houghton: 10-3 (1-0 Empire 8) | Elmira: 5-11 (1-1 Empire 8)
Scores: 19-25, 27-25, 25-23, 25-20
Venue: Speidel Gymnasium, Elmira College | Attendance: 215

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton's 65 kills are a new season-high.
 
>> Ally Bittinger and Jamie Glendenning each posted double-doubles, collecting 17 kills and 23 digs, and 10 kills and 17 digs, respectively.
 
>> Brooke Lewandowski and Amy Huddell added 11 kills and 12 kills apiece for Houghton, respectively.
 
>> Savannah Terri led the Soaring Eagles with 13 kills, while Kassi Hastings dished out 37 assists.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Tonight was a great start to conference play.  We came out pretty flat, but after the first set we dug in and played tough.
 
"We had to make some adjustments defensively because Elmira was attacking really well.  In the end, though, Haley [Unverdorben] and Ally [Bittinger] had huge nights. 
 
"Outside of the first set our offense was really tough to deal with.  We spread the ball and we finished well.  I'm looking forward to a good rest and getting ready for tomorrow's match." –Coach Joshua Tompkins
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders are back in action tomorrow when they travel to Oneonta to take on the Hartwick Hawks at 2:00 p.m.  Last September the Highlanders defeated the Hawks, 3-1.