Pioneers Battle Tough at Houghton

The Alfred State lost a tight battle with cross county rival Houghton on Friday night. The Highlanders won the opening set 25-12 but the Pioneers bounced back to tie it with a 25-22 win in set two. Houghton earned a back and forth 27-25 decision in set three and took the match with a 25-15 win in the fourth set.

In the opening set, Houghton started fast and never let the back into the set. In set two, the Pioneers won nine of ten points to take the lead and then five of the last six points to take the set. Kiara Perkins (Coudersport, PA) went on a serving run midway through the third set to give the Pioneers a 20-17 lead. The Highlanders scored the next five points only to have the Pioneers score four of the next five to have a set point. Houghton was able to fight off the set point and took the set with four of the last five points. Houghton scored six of the first seven points and never look back in set four.

Alyssa Fox (Letchworth) had a 16 kills and 18 digs to lead the way for the blue & gold. Perkins finished with nine digs, eight kills, and six service aces, Jordan McCooey (Horseheads) passed out 28 assists, and Jordan Stauffeneker (Lansing) added 12 digs. 

Brooke Lewandowski led the Highlanders (20-4) with 11 kills while Jaimee Glendenning finished with nine kills and 11 digs. Haley Unverdorben passed out 36 assists and Morgan Potempa had 12 digs. 

The Pioneers wrap up the season tomorrow with a tri-match at Wells. They take on Keystone at 1 p.m. and the hosts at 3 p.m.