ROCHESTER, NY – For the second night in a row, the Houghton Highlanders came up on the short end of an Empire 8 matchup, this time to the Nazareth Golden Flyers in perhaps the most closely contested game of the season.  Of the four sets played, three were decided by only two points, including the first and final sets, both won by the Golden Flyers in extra points.
 
The first set proved a battle from the opening serve.  Neither team led by more than four points throughout the set, but Houghton grabbed the advantage down the stretch, forcing set-point, 24-22.  The Golden Flyers battled back, reeling off three straight points to force their own set-point.  A kill by Alyssa Lyon tied the game, but Nazareth answered with a pair of kills by Kaylee Kelly to win the first set, 26-24.
 
Houghton returned the favor in the second.  A late kill by Allison Morgan put the Highlanders up, 24-22.  The Golden Flyers responded with a kill of their own to pull within a point, but a Nazareth serving error tied the match, 1-1.
 
After the Golden Flyers won the crucial third set, they jumped out to a commanding lead in the fourth, and led 14-9 a little over halfway through.  The Highlanders, however, refused to go quietly, reeling off eight straight points.  Moments later, a service ace by Alyssa Lyon gave the Highlanders set-point, 24-18, but Nazareth surged at the right time, closing the set, and the match, with eight straight points of their own, capped by a kill from McKenzie Hart.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 1 | Nazareth – 3
Records: Houghton: 3-3 (3-2 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 2-2 (2-2 Empire 8)
Scores: 25-27, 25-23, 19-25, 24-26
Venue: Kidera Gymnasium, Nazareth College | Attendance: 100

NOTABLE STATS
>> Haley Unverdorben collected 32 assists, 10 digs and seven kills, while posting a .778 attack percentage.
 
>> Allison Morgan led the Highlanders with a career-high 11 kills and nine digs, while Jenna Bittinger and Alyssa Lyon added nine kills apiece. 
 
>> Kaylee Kelly turned in a dominant offensive performance to lead the Golden Flyers, pounding out 18 kills.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this Sunday for a doubleheader against the Elmira Soaring Eagles beginning at 1:00 p.m.  The two matches will wrap up the regular season for the team.