ELMIRA, NY – For the second night in a row, the Houghton Highlanders took a conference matchup the full distance.  After pulling out a thrilling five-set, come-from-behind victory over Utica on Friday, the Highlanders found themselves on the other side of the table, as the Elmira Soaring Eagles came back from a 2-1 deficit to pull out a five-set victory of their own.
 
The Soaring Eagles took the first set, 25-16, and the Highlanders responded in like fashion, winning the second, 25-15.
 
In the third set the stress levels began to rise. 
 
With Houghton leading 23-20, Elmira scored two straight points to trim the lead to one.  A kill by Julie Immel gave the Highlanders set-point, but again the Soaring Eagles responded with a kill by Kaylene Sauschuck.  An Elmira attack error, however, ended the set, putting Houghton up, 2-1.
 
With the match on the line, Houghton jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage and led, 10-6, moments later.  Elmira, however, quickly reeled off five straight points to take their first lead of the set.  From there the two teams traded points late into the game.
 
Tied, 20-20, an Immel kill and an Elmira attack error put Houghton up by two.  But the Soaring Eagles responded with a kill and three straight Highlander attack errors to force set-point.  Two points by the Highlanders again tied the game.
 
A Houghton attack error and an Elmira service error again knotted the game, 25-25, but finally brought the set to an end, winning the final two points and forcing a deciding fifth set.
 
Elmira capitalized on the momentum, building a 13-8 lead, but Houghton battled back with kills by Alyssa Lyon and Ella Smith, along with an ace from Rebekah Clark to trim the score to 13-11. 
 
The Houghton rally, however, would end there, as Sam Sprague drove home a kill then finished the match with a service ace.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 2 | Elmira – 3
Records: Houghton: 5-4 (1-1 Empire 8) | Elmira: 4-3 (1-1 Empire 8)
Scores: 16-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-27, 11-15
Venue: Speidel Gymnasium, Elmira College | Attendance: 45

NOTABLE STATS
>> Julie Immel again posted a career-best performance, racking up 19 kills.  She currently leads the team with 96 kills and 108 points.
 
>> Haley Unverdorben collected 32 assists, leaving her only 56 shy of 2,000 for her career.
 
>> Immel, Unverdorben and Clark each collected 10 digs apiece.
 
>> Sprague, Sauschuck and Maddie Boucher led the Soaring Eagles with 13, 13 and 12 kills apiece, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders continue Empire 8 play on Wednesday when they welcome the Alfred University Saxons to the Nielsen Center.  First serve is slated for 7:00 p.m.