ALBANY, NY – Emma Cole and Ella Smith turned in near-flawless offensive performances on Friday night, leading the Houghton Highlanders past the Russell Sage Gators in the opening match of Empire 8 regular season conference play, 3-0.
 
Cole collected a career-high 11 kills, while committing only one attack error in 14 attacks.  Smith did not commit a single error in 10 attacks, posting seven kills.
 
Houghton gained the lead on the opening point in both of the first two sets and never trailed afterwards.
 
The Gators opened the third set by winning the first two points, but the Highlanders capitalized on a seven-point run early, and three additional runs of at least four points, while limiting the Gators only six more points in the set, to finish the win.

GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Russell Sage – 0
Records: Houghton: 3-8 (1-0 Empire 8) | Russell Sage: 3-12 (0-1 Empire 8)
Scores: 25-13, 25-13, 25-8
Venue: Kahl Campus Center, Russell Sage College | Attendance: 61

NOTABLE STATS
>> As a team, the Highlanders hit at a .288 clip, their second-best percentage of the season, while tying their season-low with only eight attack errors.
 
>> Haley Unverdorben posted her fourth double-double of the season with 28 assists and a team-high 11 digs.  She also tied her season high of five service aces.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Our focus going into tonight's matchup was to take care of the little things. We did. 
 
"Emma Cole had a nearly flawless night. Ella Smith bounced back from a tough last week with a dominant season-best performance. Haley Unverdorben once again showed her expertise in commanding the floor while also turning in a great defensive performance. 
 
"I am very proud of the team on so many levels for handling adversity of the last week by starting strong and staying in control from beginning to end." – Interim Head Coach Judy Fox
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Oneonta tomorrow for a matchup with the Hartwick Hawks at 2:00p.m.