Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DUBOIS, PA – The Highlanders were able to bounce back from their season-opening loss to pick up a pair of wins by sweeping Penn State Beaver and Penn State DuBois in a dominant Saturday performance. A strong offensive showing for Houghton, led by Alexa Belanger, proved to be an overwhelming attack in favor of the Highlanders.
 
GAME VITALS

Game #1:
Match Score: Houghton – 3 | Penn State Beaver – 0
Records: Houghton: 1-1 | Penn State Beaver: 1-4
Set Scores: 25-10, 25-12, 25-21
Venue: PAW Center, Penn State DuBois

Recap:
The Highlanders earned their first win of the 2026 season, winning in three sets while utilizing fourteen total players across the match.
 
While the attack of Houghton proved to outmatch the Lions of Penn State Beaver, it was truly a team effort on offense that created such a favorable result. Nine total players contributed to the kill total.
 
The first and second sets were dominant for the Highlanders, allowing a combined 22 points for the Lions. While the third set was much closer in score, Houghton's ability to force 38 total attack errors over three sets prevent Penn State Beaver from ever securing a foothold in the momentum of the match.
 
Amassing 15 aces, the Highlanders showed a more well-rounded scoring ability in this match-up, and the Lions seemed to have no answers.
 
Leading the way for Houghton, Alexa Belanger collected eight kills, while freshman Petra Thomas added six kills with only one attack error and two total blocks.
 
Game #2:
Match Score: Houghton – 3 | Penn State DuBois – 0
Records: Houghton: 2-1 | Penn State DuBois: 1-4
Set Scores: 25-18, 25-13, 25-16
Venue: PAW Center, Penn State DuBois

Recap:
It felt like a moment of déjà vu for the Highlanders through their second match of the day, putting on another impressive performance to pull off the sweep of Penn State DuBois in convincing fashion.
 
Allowing an average of just under 16 points per set, Houghton stifled the offensive efforts of the hosting Lady Lions through strong defensive play at the net and along the back row.
 
Belanger turned in another overwhelming attack, earning her first double digit kill total of the season with 14 across her two sets played.
 
Senior right-side hitter Jessica Prentice grabbed 11 kills for herself as well on 18 total attempts.
 
NOTABLE STATS
>> Belanger finished her day with 22 kills, nine digs, and five aces, while Katelyn Martin ended the pair of matches with 16 total digs and five aces.
 
>> Both senior setters had good overall performances for the day with Logan Baer collecting 36 assists in total while Morgan Brace added 23 assists and 6 aces of her own.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will return to action this weekend as they venture to Erie, PA to participate in a tri-match involving Penn State Behrend and Muskingum University. Houghton will face off first against the hosting Lions of Penn State Behrend at 11:00 AM with their second match of the day to follow at 1:00 PM against Muskingum.