HOUGHTON, N.Y. — The Houghton University women's volleyball team battled Alfred University in a five-set Empire 8 matchup on Saturday afternoon at the Nielsen Center, ultimately falling 3-2. After dropping the first set, Houghton rallied to take the fourth and force a decisive fifth set, but Alfred secured the victory by scores of 12-25, 25-22, 26-24, 21-25, and 15-9. Houghton moves to 12-16 overall and 7-4 in Empire 8 play, while Alfred improves to 14-16 and 7-4 in conference action.
The Highlanders opened the match with a strong performance, taking the first set 25-12 while hitting .333 with 10 kills and just two errors. Alfred responded by claiming the second and third sets, including a narrow 26-24 decision in the third. Houghton answered with an 11-kill fourth set to win 25-21 and extend the match, but Alfred pulled away in the fifth set to close out the contest.
Alexa Belanger paced Houghton's offense with 15 kills and four service aces, while
Praylan Perkins added 14 kills and nine digs.
Petra Thomas contributed 11 kills and a solo block. Belanger also led the Highlanders with 20 digs, while Perkins added nine.
Morgan Brace recorded 35 assists and 15 digs in the five-set effort.
Becca Wilkins added 15 digs, and the Highlanders finished with 66 digs as a team. At the net, Houghton recorded two solo blocks and two block assists, with Thomas and
Arianna Farrell each contributing a solo block.
GAME VITALS
Final Score: Houghton 2, Alfred 3
Set Scores: 25-12, 22-25, 24-26, 25-21, 9-15
Records: Houghton (12-16, 7-4 Empire 8); Alfred (14-16, 7-4 Empire 8)
Location: Nielsen Center — Houghton, N.Y.
Attendance: 200
NOTABLE STATS
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Alexa Belanger: 15 kills, 4 service aces, 20 digs
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Praylan Perkins: 14 kills, 9 digs
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Petra Thomas: 11 kills, 1 solo block
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Morgan Brace: 35 assists, 15 digs
>> Houghton totaled 44 kills, 8 service aces, 66 digs, and 4 total blocks
