HOUGHTON, NY – Alexa Belanger racked up 22 kills as the Houghton Highlanders pulled out a five-set thrilling win over Empire 8 rival Alfred University on Wednesday night, 3-2.
 
The Highlanders rallied from a 21-15 deficit in the opening set, eventually tying the score, 23-23, on a Logan Baer ace, before claiming the final two points for a 25-23 win.
 
After trading sets, the Highlanders attempted to close out the match in the fourth, only to see the Saxons rally, forcing a fifth and deciding set, 25-22.
 
In the final set, Baer quickly served the Highlanders to a 4-0 lead.  Houghton would eventually build a 7-2 lead before Alfred reeled off six straight points to pull ahead, 8-7
 
Eventually, with Houghton clinging to a slim, 13-12 lead, Belanger put away her 22^nd kill of the night, and Jessica Prentice finished the match with a kill of her own.
 
GAME VITALS
Match Score: Houghton – 3 | Alfred – 2
Records: Houghton: 6-6 (1-0 Empire 8) | Alfred: 6-11 (0-1 Empire 8)
Set Scores: 25-23, 20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-12
Venue: Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 92

NOTABLE STATS
>> Belanger, who also added 13 digs for her fourth double-double of the season, has now posted more than 20 kills in two of her last three matches.  She has accumulated 10 or more digs seven times this season. 
 
>> Natalie Rivera posted 30 digs, the second time she has done so in her last three matches. 
 
>> Baer dished out 38 assists, her second-highest total of the season.  In her last three games she has tallied 112 assists.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Friday, when they will host the Keuka Wolves in another Empire 8 matchup at 7:00 p.m.