GREENVILLE, PA — Houghton Women's Volleyball battled Thiel through four competitive sets Tuesday evening at Maenpa Court at Beeghly Gymnasium, ultimately falling to the Tomcats, 3-1. Houghton took the opening set 26-24 before Thiel responded by winning the next three sets, 26-24, 25-22, and 25-19. The loss moved the Highlanders to 10-12 overall and 5-2 in Empire 8 play.
The Highlanders opened the match with 13 kills in the first set and battled through extra points to take a 26-24 victory. Thiel answered with a 26-24 win of its own in the second set before taking the third and fourth sets. Houghton saved its strongest offensive efficiency for the fourth set, recording 12 kills with four errors on 30 attacks for a .267 hitting percentage.
Alexa Belanger led Houghton with 16 kills on 53 attacks while adding 12 digs and two block assists.
Petra Thomas contributed eight kills on 16 attacks for a .375 hitting percentage while recording two solo blocks and three block assists.
Praylan Perkins added nine kills, four service aces, and seven digs.
Morgan Brace directed the Highlander offense with 39 assists and added six digs and a service ace.
Paige Brennan contributed 11 digs, while Houghton finished with 50 digs and eight service aces as a team.
GAME VITALS
Final Score: Houghton 1, Thiel 3
Set Scores: 26-24, 24-26, 22-25, 19-25
Records: Houghton (10-12, 5-2 Empire 8) | Thiel (8-7, 4-3 PAC)
Location: Maenpa Court at Beeghly Gymnasium, Greenville, Pa. | Attendance: 293
NOTABLE STATS
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Alexa Belanger led the Highlanders with 16 kills, 12 digs, and two block assists.
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Petra Thomas recorded eight kills on 16 attacks for a .375 hitting percentage while contributing two solo blocks and three block assists.
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Praylan Perkins finished with nine kills, four service aces, and seven digs.
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Morgan Brace posted 39 assists, one service ace, and six digs.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will continue their Empire 8 conference play efforts this Friday, October 23, as they host Hartwick College. The match will take place at Letchworth Central School at 7:00 PM, and it will be one of four remaining conferences matches for Houghton in the 2026 regular season.
