ALFRED, NY – The Highlanders picked up their fourth win of the season Thursday night, defeating Alfred State 3-1 at the Orvis Activities Center. Houghton took the first two sets by identical 25-23 scores before Alfred State responded with a 26-24 victory in the third. The Highlanders closed out the match in the fourth set, winning 25-21.
Houghton came out strong offensively, recording 48 kills across the four-set match while hitting .164 as a team. The Highlanders were able to produce more kills than their opposing Pioneers in each of the last three sets, helping them build the necessary momentum to prevent any significant comeback by Alfred State.
Bouncing back from their lone set loss of the night in the third, Houghton won the fourth and final set by the match's largest margin of victory. The Highlanders consistently created opportunities from the service line, recording 10 service aces, while holding Alfred State to a .191 team hitting percentage and finished the match with 53 digs.
GAME VITALS
Match Score: Houghton – 3 | Alfred St. – 1
Records: Houghton: 4-6 (0-0 Empire 8) | Alfred St.: 8-6 (0-0 SUNYAC)
Set Scores: 25-23, 25-23, 24-26, 25-21
Venue: Orvis Activities Center, Alfred, NY | Attendance: 80
NOTABLE STATS
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Alexa Belanger led the Highlanders offensively with 16 kills on 37 attacks, finishing with a .270 hitting percentage.
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Praylan Perkins recorded a career-high 15 kills on 27 attacks, hitting a team-best .481. She also added a solo block and a block assist.
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Petra Thomas recorded eight kills on 19 attacks and added a solo block and a block assist while hitting .316.
>> Houghton recorded 10 service aces as a team, with Brace leading the Highlanders with five. Belanger and
Selah Charles added three and two aces, respectively.
UP NEXT
Houghton is scheduled to return to the court this Saturday, September 26, as they host Lycoming College and SUNY Morrisville in a tri-match. The Highlanders will play at 11:00 AM against Lycoming College and 3:00 PM against SUNY Morrisville with a neutral match occurring between. The tri-match will take place at Genessee Valley Central School.
