HOUGHTON, NY – Alexa Belanger pounded out 10 kills without committing an error, as the fourth-seeded Houghton Highlanders defeated the fifth-seeded Alfred Saxons in straight sets to open the Empire 8 Conference Championship first round.
 
The Highlanders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, thanks to kills by Lilly Bentley and Ella Smith, and never trailed until they secured a 1-0 lead, 25-19.
 
With Houghton leading, 13-11 in the second set, the Highlanders quickly reeled off five straight points and eventually finished the set on a similar five-point run to take a 2-0 lead, 25-14.
 
In the third set, Alfred established a commanding 11-4 lead, and the Houghton faithful began to prepare themselves for a fourth set.  But Ainslie Reimer pummeled two kills and two aces to pull the Highlanders within three.
 
After the Saxons broke Reimer's serve, Houghton again reeled off another four points to tie the game, 12-12. 
 
With the score knotted, 15-15, the Highlanders broke the Saxons with six straight points, capped by back-to-back kills by Reimer and Emma Cole, eventually winning the deciding set, 25-19.
 
GAME VITALS
Match Score: #4 Houghton – 3 | #5 Alfred – 0
Records: #4 Houghton: 11-14 | #5 Alfred: 15-9
Set Scores: 25-19, 25-14, 25-19
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 465

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton collected 35 kills and committed only seven attack errors as a team, posting a .329 attack percentage.  Alfred posted 33 kills but committed 28 attack errors (.045).
 
>> Reimer tallied 10 kills, 12 digs and three service aces, with only two attack errors (.421 attack percentage).  She now has nine double-doubles on the season and ranks second on the team in kills (198) and first in digs (349). 
 
>> Carleigh Santavy and Abigail Omelan had eight kills apiece for the Saxons.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders advance to the semifinal round on Thursday, where they will meet top-seeded Nazareth, who defeated #8 Sage in straight sets. Opening serve is slated for 7:00 p.m.