PITTSBURGH, PA – A well-balanced offensive attack and some tough defensive play kept the Highlanders clicking on all cylinders as they defeated the Franciscan Barons and the La Roche Redhawks in straight sets.
 
For the second straight day of the La Roche Tournament the Highlanders took six straight sets and have now won 15 sets in a row this season. 
 
In the first match Amy Huddell and Haley Unverdorben spurred the offense with nine kills and 21 assists, respectively.  Defensively, Morgan Potempa posted a team-best 13 digs.
 
Unverdorben continued to find her marks in the final match, dishing out 32 assists as five different Highlanders posted at least six kills apiece.  Ally Bittinger collected 11 kills while Brooke Lewandowski added seven kills and three blocks.
 
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 3 | Franciscan – 0
Records: Houghton: 4-0 | Franciscan: 4-3
Scores: 25-18, 25-11, 25-23
Venue: Coach Scott Lang Court, La Roche University | Attendance: 120

Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 3 | La Roche – 0
Records: Houghton: 5-0 | La Roche: 4-4 
Scores: 25-17, 25-22, 25-20
Venue: Coach Scott Lang Court, La Roche University | Attendance: 90

NOTABLE STATS
>> The Highlanders outhit their opponents 74-44 and committed four fewer attack errors.
 
>> Huddell finished with 17 total kills, while Potempa added 25 total digs.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"In the first match it took us some time to find our feet.  Thankfully we pulled together early and controlled the ball.  We served well again so we put a lot of pressure on them, which helped our offense.
 
"Haley [Unverdorben] is really starting to read opposing teams and causing lots of problems for them.
 
"The second match was fun.  Neither team had lost in the tournament.  La Roche is a big and athletic team that passed very well.  Thankfully the girls really brought it for us today. 
 
"We had a really even spread of offensive attack, and the team has now taken on a very tough and scrappy mentality on defense. 
 
"It was a great weekend.  The goal was to improve on our match from last Saturday.  We did that and now it's about improving for our home opener!" – Coach Josh Tompkins
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Wednesday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. when they will host the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Panthers.  Houghton is 5-3 all-time against the Panthers, but Pitt-Bradford has won the last three matchups, including a 3-1 victory last season.