HAMBURG, N.Y.- In front of a packed Brad Hafner Recreation Center, Hilbert Women's Volleyball pushed Houghton University to the brink in a five-set nail-biter, ultimately falling 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 24-26, 25-11, 12-15) in an intense non-conference showdown.

Despite the narrow loss, Hilbert (3-2) showed grit, athleticism, and teamwork throughout the match, nearly pulling off a comeback against a tough Highlanders squad.

Match Highlights:

• Set 1: Hilbert came out strong, taking the opener 25-23 behind sharp offensive execution and solid net play.
• Set 2 & 3: The Hawks dropped two tightly contested sets, including a heartbreaking 24-26 third set that could have swung the momentum.
• Set 4: With their backs against the wall, Hilbert came out swinging and responded with their best set of the night — a dominant 25-11 win featuring a match-best .273 hitting percentage.
• Set 5: The deciding set was a slugfest, but late miscues and a quick Houghton surge saw the Hawks edged out 15-12.

Standout Performers:

• Jessee Jonathan was a force in the back row, racking up a match-high 26 digs and 37 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise.
• Jade Schiller chipped in 23 digs and three aces, anchoring the serve receive and defensive effort.
• Jenna Revak led the offense with 16 kills, and Molly McKinnon added 13 kills and three aces, contributing on both ends.
• Lindsay Madigan turned in a strong all-around performance with 11 kills, 12 assists, and 18 digs while Lezly McComber notched 4 blocks and four timely kills, making her presence felt at the net.

Team Takeaways:

While Hilbert statistically outperformed Houghton in kills (59–48), aces (8–3), blocks (5–5), assists (54–45), and digs (98–90), it was the slight dips in efficiency at key moments that made the difference in the final scoreline.

Next Up:

Hilbert will test their talents in another two-day tournament this coming weekend.  The Hawks (3-2) will face Manhattanville College Friday at 5 pm before facing Morrisville State (12 pm) and the host Brockport State (2:30) on Saturday.