HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton Highlanders picked up their first Empire 8 conference tournament victory on Wednesday night in front of the largest home crowd of the season, defeating the #5 seeded Medaille Mavericks in straight sets.
 
Seven service errors put the Highlanders in a hole in the first set, and the Mavericks held a 22-18 before Houghton found their footing. 
 
A pair of kills by Emma Cole, coupled with a Medaille setting error, pulled Houghton within one before an ace from Haley Unverdorben tied the game, 22-22.   The Highlanders would win three of the next four points, all on kills by Ella Smith, to take the crucial first set.
 
Houghton would dominate the second set, thanks in large part to 13 service points from sophomore Marra Hovey, six of which came on aces.  When Hovey toed the line on her first serve, the game stood tied, 5-5.  When she finished, the Highlanders led, 18-5.  They would eventually win the set, 25-10.
 
While the Mavericks continued to scrap, the Highlanders opened up a sizable lead in the third set, eventually leading 22-14.  Medaille refused to quit, reeling off five straight points, and eventually pulling within two, 24-22, but a well-timed timeout by Houghton coach, Judy Fox, iced the server, who served the ball into the net for the final point of the match.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: #4 Houghton – 3 | #5 Medaille – 0
Records: #4 Houghton: 10-13 | #5 Medaille: 6-23
Game Scores: 25-23, 25-10, 25-22
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 184

NOTABLE STATS
>> Haley Unverdorben surpassed 2,800 career assists, collecting 31 on the day.
 
>> Julie Immel led the Highlanders with 12 kills, the eighth time she has reached double-digits this season, and sixth time she has accomplished the feat in the past eight games.  Her second kill of the night gave her 400 for her career.   Katie Naprawa, Cole and Smith all added eight kills apiece for the Highlanders.
 
>> Defensively, Rebekah Clark posted 11 digs, while Hannah Catalino added 10, the second time this season she has posted double-digit digs.
 
>> Senior Alyssa Lyon, in her last game on the Nielsen Center hardwood, picked up three kills, giving her 98 on the season and exactly 300 for her Houghton career.  Earlier this season Lyon collected her 300^th dig and her 300^th point.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"[We had] so many accomplishments in this win tonight. Haley surpassed 2800 career assists and masterfully dissected the defense with 31 assists tonight. Julie led our attack with 12 kills, passing 400 in her career. Alyssa reached her 300th career kill while Katie, Ella and Emma had 8 kills apiece this evening. 

"Rebekah Clark and [Rebekah] Fenn were joined by Hannah Catalino in a great defensive performance. Clark and Hannah had 11 and 10 digs, respectively. And without a doubt, Marra Hovey set the momentum in the second set with her string of service points that included six aces.  
 
"I could not be happier for our seniors who have defended our home court all season (7-1). With the help of the electric crowd, Houghton has become a formidable place for opponents to play. We thank each of you for your part in this W! On to the E8 Final Four!" – Interim Head Coach, Judy Fox
  
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Rochester on Friday to take on the top-seeded St. John Fisher Cardinals at 5:00 p.m.  Houghton will look to avenge their loss to the Cardinals from earlier this season, also played on Fisher's home court.