KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Keuka College Women's Volleyball team lost at home in straight sets to Houghton University in an Empire 8 Conference match on Saturday afternoon at the JMW Recreation and Athletics Center.
Keuka College (10-12, 3-4 Empire 8) was led by Alessandra Castañeda with 12 kills. The sophomore added 10 digs in the match, two behind
Gabby Rodriguez's 12 digs for the Wolves.
Houghton University 3 at Keuka College 0 – 25-23, 25-17, 25-18
Houghton took an early lead over the Wolves, forcing Keuka to call a timeout at 2-6. The break paid off as
Anna Beck got a kill from her middle possession immediately after the stoppage. Keuka College kept the set close during the middle points. A solo block by
Lilah Cousins followed by an assisted block between Cousins and Beck cut the margin to three at 11-14. Later, Keuka College went on a run on the serve of
Nina Scott. The senior hit a pair of aces while the Green and Gold scored six straight to tie the set at 18-18. Keuka would take the lead as a block by
Phoebe Swartz and
Gianna Falleti tied the set at 20-20.
Summer Elza followed with an ace as the Wolves took a 21-20 lead. However, Houghton answered and hit kills for four of the final five points in the frame as the Highlanders took the opener 25-23.
The visitors carried the momentum into the second set as they jumped out to an early 8-3 lead over the Wolves. Keuka fought to stay in the set, but the Highlanders played from ahead throughout and took the second 25-17.
The third started closed as Keuka looked to extend the match. A kill by Castañeda tied the set at 8-8. However, Houghton would go on a run, scoring eight of the next nine points to take a 16-9 lead over Keuka. The visitors closed out the match with a kill to take the third 25-18 and win the match in three.
KC Notes:
- Keuka College is now 3-17 all-time against Houghton University in volleyball
- Alessandra Castañeda hit the 400 career kill and 500 career dig plateaus in the match
- Lilly Devine had five digs in the match. The senior surpassed 300 digs in her career while setting a new personal-best for digs in a season
- Summer Elza led the Wolves with 13 assists in the match. The junior from Arizona surpassed 700 assists for her career
- Nina Scott was second on the team with six kills. The senior moved into a tie for 8th with Jen Shaughnessy on the career kills list at Keuka College
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves have the week off until their next Empire 8 weekend. The set will start on Friday night at home as Keuka College hosts Nazareth University. The Wolves will then travel to St. John Fisher University on Saturday to play the Cardinals.
