HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Houghton women's volleyball teammates Alexa Belanger and Emma Cole have been honored by the Empire 8 Conference following the 2025 fall season.

Belanger was named First Team All-E8, while Cole was a second team selection.

Belanger led the Highlanders with 295 kills and 291 digs, while adding 26 blocks, 22 aces and a .142 hitting percentage. Belanger's 3.24 kills per set was good for fourth in the conference.

This is Cole's third all-conference honor after being named third team as a freshman and second team as a junior. The senior finished second on the team with 204 kills and led the squad in blocks (94) and hitting percentage (.204). Her 1.03 blocks per set led the Empire 8. Cole finished her four-year career with 723 kills and 221 blocks. She had a career hitting percentage of .222 over 97 matches played.

In addition, Cole was Houghton's selection to the E8 Tomorrow's Leaders Team. One member of each team was named that institution's representative. This team honors a student-athlete who has emerged as a leader not only on the field of play, but in the classroom and in the community. In addition, they "compete with honor and integrity" and have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.

"Developing character and integrity is a hallmark of the Empire 8," said E8 Executive Director Chuck Mitrano. "This series is proof that Empire 8 and our member institutions are committed to intercollegiate athletics' important role in higher education."