HOUGHTON, NY – Alfred University's Taylor Malone pounded out 17 kills, as the visiting Saxons defeated the Houghton Highlanders in straight sets, 3-0.
 
Early on, the Saxons kept the Highlanders off-balance, unable to set up plays with quality passes on a consistent basis, and when Houghton did execute, the Alfred defense swarmed to dig balls. 
 
After taking the first set, 25-13, the Saxons jumped out to a commanding lead in the second, eventually jumping ahead, 22-15.  But the Highlanders rallied, scoring five straight points behind the serving of Nora Dugan, to clamor back within three, before Alfred pulled out the final points of the set.
 
Trying to keep some momentum on their side, the Highlanders played evenly with the Saxons throughout the opening of the third set.  But with Alfred leading by a point, 15-14, the Saxons reeled off four straight points, to go up, 19-14, and Houghton never pulled closer than four points the rest of the way.
 
GAME VITALS
Match Score: Houghton – 0| Alfred – 3
Records: Houghton: 4-11 (0-3 Empire 8)| Alfred: 7-9 (3-2 Empire 8)
Set Scores: 13-25, 20-25, 20-25
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 110

NOTABLE STATS
>> The Saxons maintained advantages in kills (42-30), aces (9-2), assists (38-29) and digs (44-38).
 
>> Ainslie Reimer picked up 12 kills for the Highlanders, her seventh straight game in double-digit kills, while committing only three attack errors.
 
>> Ella Smith led Houghton with 14 digs, while Morgan Brace posted 18 assists.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Elmira tomorrow for another Empire 8 matchup with the Soaring Eagles at 1:00 p.m.  Houghton and Elmira have split their last four contests, but the Highlanders claimed a 3-0 victory last fall.