Women's Volleyball | 9/24/2021 9:53:00 PM
UTICA, NY – Trailing two sets-to-one, and down 16-15 in the fourth set, the Houghton Highlanders rallied to win their fourth straight match, defeating the Utica Pioneers, in five sets to open Empire 8 conference play on Friday night.
After the Highlanders took the first set, 25-19, the Pioneers found their footing, winning the second and third sets handily, 25-15 and 25-15, as Houghton's attack went south and the Pioneers front line hit near-flawlessly and racked up blocks left and right.
Houghton, however, would refuse to go home quietly.
The two teams traded points throughout the fourth set, never separated by more than three points until Utica led, 16-15. Following a Pioneers service error, Julie Immel picked up an ace, and Ella Smith and Alyssa Lyon followed with back-to-back kills to put the Highlanders up, 19-16.
The quick turnaround gave Houghton the momentum, propelling them to a 25-21 win, forcing the pivotal fifth set.
Houghton quickly capitalized on the momentum gained from the end of the previous set, pulling out to an early 6-0 advantage. The Pioneers, however, quickly reeled off five points of their own, and the two teams began to trade points, seesawing back and forth until Houghton led, 13-12, late in the set.
With victory at their fingertips, Lyon played the hero, slamming home back-to-back kills to finish off the come-from-behind win in dramatic fashion.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 3 | Utica – 2
Records: Houghton: 5-3 (1-0 Empire 8) | Utica: 3-10 (0-1 Empire 8)
Scores: 25-19, 15-25, 16-25, 25-21, 15-12
Venue: Miga Court at the Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium | Attendance: 77
NOTABLE STATS
>> The Pioneers dominated the net, 14 blocks-to-zero, but Houghton's defense shone, as they collected 67 digs to Utica's 58.
>> For the second time this season, three Highlanders posted double-digit kills. Lyon, Immel and Smith all posted career highs with 17, 14 and 13 kills, respectively.
>> Five Highlanders collected double-digit digs, the first time the feat has been accomplished by the team this season. Immel led the team with a career-high 16 digs.
>> Haley Unverdorben dished out 39 assists on the day, moving her ever-closer to the 2,000 career assist mark. She currently has 1,912 assists for her career.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Elmira College tomorrow to take on the Soaring Eagles at 1:00 p.m. The two teams split a doubleheader this past spring, as Houghton won the conference game, 3-1, and Elmira took the second, non-conference, match, 3-1.