MECHANICSBURG, PA – The Houghton Highlanders dropped a pair of non-conference road matchups on Saturday afternoon, first falling to the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats, 3-0, before coming up short against the host Messiah Falcons, also by a score of 3-0. 
 
In the opening match, front row play proved the difference, as the Diplomats outhit the Highlanders, 47 kills-to-26, and maintained a 9-to-1 advantage in blocks.
 
In the second match, Messiah collected 47 kills, while Houghton posted 24.  The Falcons also held a 13-to-5 differential in service aces.
 
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 0 | Franklin & Marshall – 3
Records: Houghton: 2-6 | Franklin & Marshall: 4-5
Scores: 19-25, 15-25, 17-25
Venue: Hitchcock Arena, Messiah University | Attendance: 67

Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 0 | Messiah – 3
Records: Houghton: 2-7 | Messiah: 10-1
Scores: 10-25, 15-25, 19-25
Venue: Hitchcock Arena, Messiah University | Attendance: 173

NOTABLE STATS
>> Julie Immel led the Highlanders with 13 total kills on the day, while Emma Cole and Ella Smith collected nine kills apiece. 
 
>> Haley Unverdorben dished out 41 total assists, and led the team with 20 total digs.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We knew going into this weekend it would be two more incredibly tough nonconference opponents. Our team continues working to improve on the things we can control, and we look forward to preparing this week to start Empire 8competition." – Interim Head Coach Judy Fox
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. for a non-conference matchup with the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles.  Brockport has won the last three meetings between the two teams, including most recently on September 1, 2021.