HOUGHTON, NY – After leading, two-games-to-one, the #4 seed Houghton Highlanders watched their abbreviated 2020-21 spring season slip away at the hands of the visiting #5 seed Alfred Saxons in the first round of the Empire 8 conference tournament.
 
After the Saxons won the opening set, Houghton rallied to win the next two. 
 
With the fourth set knotted, 12-12, the Saxons reeled off five straight points.  Houghton battled back and eventually tied the set, 20-20 on a kill by Allison Morgan and an attack error by the Saxons.  Alfred, however, would close the match with five of the next six points, including two kills by Rylee Russin and three by Sarah Raeman, to force the fifth and deciding set.
 
Haley Unvderdorben picked up four straight service points to put the Highlanders on top, and the Highlanders eventually built a 10-4 lead.  But the Saxons would score the next four points, and nine of the next 10, to take a 14-11 lead, forcing match-point.
 
An Allison Morgan kill pulled the Highlanders within three, but Raeman struck again, putting away the deciding kill to give the Saxons the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Alfred – 0
Records: Houghton: 4-5 (3-3 Empire 8) | Alfred: 5-5 (3-3 Empire 8)
Scores: 20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 12-15
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 0

NOTABLE STATS
>> While the Saxons earned one kill more than the Highlanders (48-to-47), they committed six fewer attack errors (32-to-38).
 
>> Jenna Bittinger led Houghton with 15 kills, 11 digs and six aces, notching her third double-double of the season.
 
>> Alyssa Lyon also picked up a double-double for the Highlanders, collecting 12 kills and a team-high 19 digs, while Brooke Decker added 13 kills, Morgan 16 digs, and Unverdorben 41 assists and 13 digs.
 
>> Raeman led all attackers with a match-high 17 kills, while Honor Edmands posted 12 kills, and Darian Ortiz 27 digs.