ALFRED, NY – Haley Unverdorben dished out 30 assists and Jenna Bittinger picked up 12 kills and 20 digs as the Houghton Highlanders picked up a four-set victory over the Alfred University Saxons in the season-opening match before falling to the Saxons in straight sets in the second match of a  doubleheader.  The first match counted as an Empire 8 conference contest, while the second match did not.
 
After splitting the first two sets of the opening match, Houghton separated in the third set, outscoring the Saxons 12-2 down the stretch. 
 
In the final set, Houghton opened a commanding lead early, pulling ahead, 12-5, before Alfred slowly clawed back into contention, 15-13.  After a seesaw of points, Houghton finally forced match point on a kill by Bittinger, 24-18.  The Saxons again continued to fight, reeling off four straight points, before an attack error sealed the game for the Highlanders.
 
In the second match both teams sent different lineups onto the court, and Alfred clicked, winning the first two sets with relative ease.  Houghton, refused to go quietly, pulling ahead in the third, 13-10, after four straight service points from Allison Morgan.
 
With the game tied, 17-17, back-to-back kills by Adeline Roeske and Morgan, along with a service ace by Lydia Catalino, put Houghton up 20-17.  Following an Alfred timeout, the Saxons reeled off six straight points, and while Houghton continued to battle, they never recovered, dropping the final set, 25-22.    
  
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 3 | Alfred – 1   (25-19, 15-25, 25-16, 25-22)

Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 0 | Alfred – 3   (13-25, 14-25, 22-25)
 
Records: Houghton: 1-1 (1-0 Empire 8) | Alfred: 1-1 (0-1 Empire 8)   
Venue: Galanis Arena, Alfred University | Attendance: 0

NOTABLE STATS
>> Bittinger finished her day with 18 kills and 32 digs, while Alyssa Lyon added eight kills, 16 assists, and 27 digs for Houghton.
 
>> Amanda Burns collected 36 assists for the Saxons, while teammates Kayle Hatfield and Honor Edmands added 13 kills and 21 digs, and 19 kills, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the court on Sunday, March 28 for their home opener against the Utica College Pioneers at 2:00 p.m.