WILLIAMSPORT, PA— Trailing two sets-to-one, and down by a point late in the fourth set, the Houghton Highlanders rallied to defeat the Lycoming Warriors, 3-2, in a thrilling match that closed out the season for both teams.
 
After a lopsided third set in which the Warriors defeated the Highlanders, 25-5, Lycoming looked to have the momentum on their side.  But Houghton battled throughout, trying to force a match-deciding fifth set.
 
With the Warriors leading, 22-21, a kill and a service ace by Ainslie Reimer, followed by two Lycoming errors, gave the Highlanders the fourth-set win, evening the match at two sets apiece.
 
In the fifth and deciding set, Houghton picked up the first two points and never trailed, closing out the 2023 campaign on a high note.
 
GAME VITALS
Match Score: Houghton – 3 | Lycoming – 2 
Records: Houghton: 7-14 (2-6 Empire 8) | Lycoming: 14-10 (2-7 Landmark)
Set Scores: 25-15, 14-25, 5-25, 25-22, 15-11
Venue: Lamade Gymnasium, Lycoming College | Attendance: 123

NOTABLE STATS
>> Reimer notched a new career high with 19 kills.  She also posted her seventh double-double of the season by collecting 15 digs.  Reimer led the Highlanders in both categories this season with 203 kills and 229 digs.
 
>> Katie Naprawa turned in an impressive performance, putting away 12 kills with only two errors, and a .556 attack percentage, while Emma Cole added 11 kills.
 
>> Ella Smith led the Highlanders with 16 digs, while Morgan Brace and Logan Baer dished out 26 and 15 assists, respectively.  The freshmen setter combo of Brace and Baer posted 246 and 326 assists this season, respectively.
 
>> The Highlanders will lose one senior to graduation, Hannah Catalino.  The four-year libero/defensive specialist closed out her career with 11 digs today, giving her a total of 163 this year, and 278 for her career.