UTICA, NY – After taking a hard-fought first set, the Houghton Highlanders three in a row, losing their Empire 8 opener to the Utica Pioneers, 3-1.
 
Trailing 18-14 in the second set, the Highlanders battled back to within a point, 19-18, then traded points with the Pioneers down the stretch.  Utica eventually took a 24-21 lead, but Houghton refused to quit, picking up the next two points before eventually losing the final point.
 
The final two sets would be all Utica.  The Highlanders never regained an offensive rhythm, accumulating only seven kills in the third set and only four in the fourth.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 1 | Utica – 3 
Records: Houghton: 4-9 (0-1 Empire 8) | Utica:  12-8 (2-1 Empire 8)
Scores: 25-22, 23-25, 17-25, 11-25
Venue: Miga Court at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium | Attendance: 109

NOTABLE STATS
>> Julie Immel collected five kills, picking up her 500^th and 501^st career kills in the fourth set.
 
>> Ainslie Reimer led the Highlanders with 12 kills, while Emma Cole posted eight kills and only two attack errors. 
 
>> Nora Dugan reached a new career high with 16 digs, and Logan Baer served up 30 assists.

>> The Pioneers held a distinct advantage in the service game, tallying 10 aces to the Highlanders one.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Tonight we started the match strong.  We were receiving, attacking and serving spots well.  Once the second set hit we lost our energy and that carried on throughout the entire match.
 
"Now we need to learn from this and get ready for Saturday." – Head Coach Haley Unverdorben
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Keuka Park on Saturday to take on the Keuka Wolves at 1:00 p.m.  Houghton won the last matchup between the two teams, 3-1, and holds an 8-1 all-time advantage.