HOUGHTON, NY – Needing a victory to keep their post-season hopes alive, the Houghton Highlanders came up short on Saturday afternoon, falling to the visiting Nazareth Golden Flyers, 3-0.
 
Nazareth set the pace early, knocking out a .481 attack percentage in the first set, thanks to 14 kills and only one error.
 
With the score, 9-8, in favor of the Golden Flyers in the second set, Nazareth reeled off five straight points to increase the margin to 14-8 and eventually led 23-13.  Houghton tried to rally, scoring five of the next six points, but a ball-handling error gave Nazareth the win.
 
Trailing by two games, the Highlanders fought to turn the match around.  Midway through the third set, Houghton held a slim, 13-11, advantage.  But the Golden Flyers again went on a run, this time picking up seven straight points to pull ahead, 18-13. 
 
Houghton continued to trade points throughout the remainder of the set, but the Nazareth run proved too much to overcome.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 0 | Nazareth – 3
Records: Houghton: 7-10 (3-5 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 13-9 (6-2 Empire 8)
Scores: (12-25, 18-25, 17-25)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 115

NOTABLE STATS
>> Despite sustaining an injury to her knee early in the first set, Haley Unverdorben collected 17 assists, three kills and six digs.
 
>> Alyssa Lyon led the Highlanders with eight kills, and Rebekah Clark picked up 10 digs.
 
>> Tessa Grove paced the Golden Flyers with 27 assists, while Kaylee Kelly added nine kills and 12 digs.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders have one final game remaining on their schedule.  They will host Buffalo State College on Tuesday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m.