HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Houghton volleyball teammates Haley Unverdorben and Jenna Bittinger have each been named to the Empire 8 Volleyball All-Conference First Team in voting by E8 coaches announced today.

The tandem helped lead the Highlanders to a No. 4 seeding in the Empire 8 Tournament.

Unverdorben, a second team selection in 2019, was among the conference leaders in several statistical categories from her setting position. She was second in the E8 with 8.23 assists per set and ranked seventh in service aces per set (.57). She also recorded 24 kills and was third on the team with 72 digs. Unverdorben recorded four matches with double figures in both assists and digs. She tallied a season-high 44 assists vs. Elmira.

Bittinger led the Highlanders and was second in the conference in kills per set with 3.50. She also led Houghton and was fifth in the E8 in service aces per set (.63). She was second on the team with 87 digs. She closed the season with three-straight matches with double-digit kills, including a career-high 23 vs. Elmira. She also recorded 14 digs in that match.

In addition, Bittinger was Houghton's selection to the 2021 Empire 8 Volleyball Sportswoman of the Year Team. One member from each institution was named to the team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen. 

See the full list of Empire 8 All-Conference honorees.