HAMBURG, N.Y.  – The Hilbert Women’s Volleyball team was finally able to host their Home Opener tonight, and even the start of the match was a little delayed due to facility issues on the main court.

The Hawks, fueled by the large fan support, opened the series strong but suffered a 3-0 setback against Houghton University in the Hafner Recreation Center.

THE BASICS

• Final Score:  Houghton  25, 25, 25   I   Hilbert  16, 11, 22
• Location:  Hafner Recreation Center | Hilbert
• Records:   Hilbert 3-10  I  Houghton 4-9

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Hilbert collected 21 kills, three service aces, five blocks, 19 digs as they earned 29 points in the three sets.
• The Hawks earned nine kills in the third set as they attacked at the net looking to extend the match.
• McKenna Rice led with six kills while sister Michaela Rice and Jenna Revak added five each.
• Jaden Helbig was credited with 18 assists on Hilbert’s 21 team kills.
• Katie Kociszewski worked hard on defense collecting three block assists and Michaela Rice and Maria Spinelli each added two assists.
• Houghton took an early lead, but Hilbert consistently battled back, pulling within one point on several occasions.  The Highlanders, leading 16-11, made it a 21 12 game and were gifted the first set off multiple attack errors down the stretch by the Hawks.
• Hilbert earned their first four points of the second set, two kills by Spinelli, one service ace by Revak and another kill by Emily Garnett.  The Hawks trailed 6-7 and let the set slip away a few points at a time.  Houghton with a four point lead, went on a 10-point run (six service aces) to build a 24-10 advantage and took the game 25-11.
• The Hawks challenged Houghton in the third set sticking with them point-for-point. Knotted 11-all, Houghton used two consecutive kills creating separation they hadn’t had yet.  The Hawks, trailing 13-19, rallied back to make it a two-point game (18-20) and that was the closest they got before dropping the 25-22 match.

UP NEXT

Hilbert travels to Keuka Park this weekend for a tri match between Keuka College (11 am) and SUNY Poly (1 pm) Saturday, October 1.

– Kara Rehbaum

Editor’s Note: This story was written by the Hilbert Athletics staff and shared with The Scribe