ROCHESTER, NY – Houghton Women's Volleyball opened Empire 8 play with a four-set victory over Nazareth on Friday evening, defeating the Golden Flyers 3-1 at the Robert A. Kidera Gym.
The Highlanders took the first two sets, 25-15 and 25-18, before Nazareth responded with a 25-15 win in the third. Houghton closed out the match with a 25-17 victory in the fourth set.
Houghton finished the match with 50 kills and a .244 hitting percentage while recording 47 assists, seven service aces, 50 digs, and 11 total blocks. The Highlanders hit .333 in the opening set and .375 in the fourth while limiting Nazareth to a .160 hitting percentage for the match.
Alexa Belanger led the Highlanders offensively with 18 kills on 42 attacks while hitting .333 and adding six digs.
Petra Thomas added 11 kills on 20 attacks for a .350 hitting percentage, along with five total blocks.
Morgan Brace directed the Houghton offense with 39 assists while adding six kills, a .417 hitting percentage, nine digs, and a service ace.
Praylan Perkins contributed eight kills, four service aces, and 14 digs, while
Paige Brennan recorded 13 digs. Houghton also received four block assists from
Jessica Prentice and three block assists from Thomas, helping the Highlanders finish with one solo block and 10 block assists as a team.
GAME VITALS
Match Score: Houghton – 3 | Nazareth – 1
Records: Houghton: 6-8 (1-0 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 2-10 (0-1 Empire 8)
Set Scores: 25-15, 25-18, 15-25, 25-17
Venue: Robert A. Kidera Gym, Rochester, NY | Attendance: 109
NOTABLE STATS
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Alexa Belanger finished with a team-high 18 kills, her seventh 15+ kill performance of the season which ties a career best.
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Morgan Brace's six kills in this match sets a new single-game and season high for the senior setter.
> > Houghton finished with 50 kills, a .244 hitting percentage, 47 assists, seven aces, 50 digs, and 11 total blocks.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will be back on the court tomorrow, October 3, as they will host St. John Fisher and Buffalo State for a Saturday tri-match. Houghton will face the visiting Cardinals of St. John Fisher in the opening match of the day beginning at 11:00 AM and return to finish out the afternoon with their match against the Bengals of Buffalo State at 3:00 PM. The event will take place at Fillmore Central School in Fillmore, NY.
