HOUGHTON, NY – Natalie Rivera posted a career-high 27 digs as the Houghton Highlanders beat the Hilbert Hawks for the second time this month, 3-0. 
 
After trailing, 16-11, in the opening set, the Highlanders slowly began to claw back point-by-point.  With the Hawks still holding to a slim, 22-20, advantage late in the set, Houghton reeled off three straight points, including kills by freshmen duo Lilly Bentley and Alexa Belanger, taking a one-point lead. 
 
A Houghton attack error tied the game, but Belanger struck again with a hard kill, before the Highlanders took the game on a Hilbert attack error.
 
After Houghton cruised through the second set to take a 2-0 lead, it looked like the Hawks would get one back, leading by five points late in the set, and eventually forcing set point, 24-22.  But a kill by Bentley following a long rally, and a Hilbert attack error tied the game and forced a Hawks timeout.
 
Logan Baer quickly found Ainslie Reimer for the kill, and the Highlanders took the match on a Hilbert miscommunication that saw the ball drop between three players.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Hilbert – 0 
Records: Houghton: 3-6 | Hilbert: 1-8
Scores: 25-23, 25-19, 25-23
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 325

NOTABLE STATS
>> Emma Cole rapped out 10 kills without an attack error, posting a .417 attack percentage.  She has reached double-digit kills three times this season.
 
>> Bentley finished with nine kills and a pair of blocks, while Baer and Morgan Brace posted 18 and 17 assists apiece, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center next Wednesday, September 25^th when they host the Buffalo State Bengals at 7:00 p.m.