Houghton Drops Two Matches at NCCAA National Championship

Houghton Drops Two Matches at NCCAA National Championship

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Trinity Christian College: (14-25, 21-25, 9-25)
Southern Wesleyan University: (21-25, 15-25, 15-25)

KISSIMMEE, FL.-- In day 1 of the NCCAA National Championship, the Highlander Volleyball team dropped the two matches--losing 0-3 to the #1 seed Trinity Christian Trolls and then again to the #4 seed Southern Wesleyan Warriors by the same 0-3 set deficit.  

The first match of the day against the Trolls was stiff competition for the Highlanders. In the first set Houghton found themselves on the heels of Trinity Christian by trailing in a 5-6 run. Trinity Christian then went on a 10-point rally, interrupted only twice by Houghton's offense. The amount of Highlander kills and Troll attack errors did not suffice, losing the first set 14-25. In the second set it was much closer in score, finding themselves going back and forth in scoring while staying within 1-2 points of each other a majority of the set. Unfortunately, the Trolls rallied at the end and came up with the 25-21 win. Trinity Christian forced a quick 3rd set, beating Houghton 25-9 and claiming the match. 

Highlander's Hattie Burgher (Selkirk, NY, Loudonville Christian) and Naomi Prentice (Linwood, NY, York Central) had 4 kills each, while Anna Coryell (Phelps, NY, Midlakes) was credited with 10 assists. Defensively, Laurel Wroblicky (Irvine, CA, Northwood) led the way with 18 digs.

In the second match Southern Wesleyan came out of the gates strong, claiming the first set by 4 points; the Warriors' early lead paid off in the end, winning 25-21. In the second set Houghton found themselves in a 9-4 lead. This lead began to dissipate when Southern Wesleyan had a 21-point run, only interrupted 6 times by the Highlanders. Losing 15-25 in the second set, the third set had the same exact trend.

Again, Burgher led the way in kills with 11 while Coryell claimed 17 assists in the match. Wroblicky was credited with 15 digs followed by Hannah Compeau (Oxford, MI, Faith Christian) with 10 digs of her own. 

The Highlanders (17-15) will compete tomorrow (12/5) in day 2 of the NCCAA National Championship where they will play #5 seed Oklahoma Wesleyan University at 12:00pm.