BUFFALO, NY - The Highlanders made the short trip up to Buffalo State to participate in a tri-match where they faced No. 18 Baldwin Wallace and host Buffalo State. Houghton dropped both matches 3-0.
 
GAME VITALS
Game #1:
Score: Houghton – 0 | Baldwin Wallace – 3
Records: Houghton: 0-13, 0-0 AMCC | Baldwin Wallace: 13-6, 2-0 MCVL
Scores: 12-25, 17-25, 17-25
Venue: Sports Arena | Attendance: 100
 
Recap: Houghton faced a familiar opponent in No. 18 Baldwin Wallace. The Highlanders looked to improve their last performance, but could not contain the Yellow Jacket's powerful offense.
 
Baldwin Wallace got out to a quick start in the first set and the Highlanders were facing a significant deficit that proved too much to overcome and dropped the set 12-25. The Yellow Jackets used that momentum and kept the pressure on in both the second and third set. Houghton struggled to find offensive rhythm behind the strong serving from Baldwin Wallace and lost the second and third set 17-25, 17-25.
 
 
Game #2:
Score: Houghton – 0 | Buffalo State – 3
Records: Houghton: 0-14, 0-0 AMCC | Buffalo State: 10-10, 0-0 SUNYAC
Scores: 20-25, 19-25, 20-25
Venue: Sports Arena | Attendance: 200
 
Recap: After a disappointing match against Baldwin Wallace, Houghton composed themselves to face host Buffalo State. The Highlanders came out strong in the first set with three quick kills by Devin Burns, Elijah Sproull, and Devin Cline. The rest of the set was point-for-point, but with the score 18-20 in favor of the Bengals, they got some separation and allowed Houghton to score only two more points, winning the set 25-20.
 
The second set went much like the first set with both teams trading points and not allowing more than a two-point deficit. But late in the set, the Bengals scored a couple of crucial points and got the set two win 25-19.
 
Not looking to go down easily, the Highlanders fought hard in the third set keeping the score close for much of the set. A mid-set run of several points by Buffalo State was the difference maker in the match and Houghton dropped the third set 20-25.
 
 
NOTABLE STATS
>> Devin Cline had nine kills with a hitting efficiency of .353 against Buffalo State
 
>>Jerry Buno tallied 17 assists against Buffalo State
 
UP NEXT
 
After a week off, Houghton is back in action and they will host Finger Lakes Community College on March 12^th at 7:00 pm in the Nielsen Center.