HAMBURG, N.Y.  –  Hilbert College Men's Volleyball faced Houghton University for the first time in program history and came away with a 3-set victory in their home opener in the Hafner Recreation Center.
 
The Hawks rushed out to an easy 25-14 opening set win, then toyed with the Highlanders in the second set.

Trailing 19-18 in the second set, Austin Chandler served the Hawks to victory after stacking six-points from the back line.

The white and royal then cleared the bench midway through the third set with a 16-7 advantage.  Every Hawk got quality minutes and they held on for the 25-20 set win.

Hilbert finished the match with 42 kills and 13 attack errors for the best hitting percentage this season (.312).  The Hawks recorded 16 kills in the first set (.560) and 17 kills in the second (.306) then slowed down with nine kills and five attack errors in the third set.
 
The Hawks dominated the net with 42 kills and six blocks while collecting nine points from service aces.  Five of the 42 kills were earned off overpasses made by Houghton that resulted in a quick, unassisted point for Hilbert.

 Connor Higgins led with .700 percent, finishing with eight kills and only one hitting error while Tyler Hassell led with 12 kills (2 errors).  Alex Overhoff added eight kills (1 error) and Brad Converse chipped in seven kills, led with three service aces, two solo blocks along with team-high eight digs.
 
Hilbert (3-2) has a full week off from competition and returns to action February 6 for their first meeting against start-up Buffalo State University in the Sports Arena at 7pm.