UTICA, NY – Lilly Bently surpassed double-digit kills for the fourth consecutive game, tying the career-best mark of 15 kills that she set only yesterday, as the Houghton Highlanders rolled to their fourth straight win, defeating the Utica Pioneers in straight sets.
 
The Highlanders racked up 18 kills in the opening set, building a 1-0 lead with a 25-18 win.
 
In the second set, Houghton overcame a 21-16 deficit, winning nine of the final 11 points to take a two-set lead.
 
Utica again built a sizable lead in the third set, only to watch the Highlanders erase it with a seven point run.  The Pioneers would make a late run, pulling within a point, 22-23, before back-to-back kills by Ainslie Reimer and Bentley sealed the win for the Highlanders. 
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Utica – 0 
Records: Houghton: 7-9 (4-0 Empire 8) | Utica:  5-10 (1-4 Empire 8)
Scores: 25-18, 25-23, 25-22
Venue: Miga Court at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium | Attendance: 50

NOTABLE STATS
>> Alexa Bellanger collected 11 kills with only two attack errors, the fourth time this season she has reached a double-digit kill total. 
 
>> Reimer, Natalie Rivera and Ella Smith all collected 17 digs apiece, while Logan Baer and Morgan Brace served up 23 and 13 assists apiece, respectively. 
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Coming into this weekend, we prepared for two strong matches. Both teams pushed us to be better and we responded well and increased our level of play.
 
"Today, we came out strong and played with urgency. When the ball was on our side of the net, we were disciplined to take care of it. It was a great team win with contributions from everyone." – Coach Danielle Heffernan
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Alfred on Tuesday, October 15 for a matchup with cross-county rivals Alfred University at 7:00 p.m.  The Saxons defeated the Highlanders last season, 3-0, after Houghton had won the previous two matchups.