Women's Volleyball Silenced To Open Houghton College Invitational

HOUGHTON, N.Y. - The Wells College women's volleyball team posted two consecutive 3-0 losses to open play in the Houghton College Invitational Friday evening. With the losses, the Express fall to 2-29 overall on the year following the non-conference matches.

The Express fell in three sets to the Kangaroos of SUNY Canton to open the day's action, losing via 25-17, 25-15 and 25-19 set scores. Freshman Gina Cairns (Delhi, N.Y.) led the offensive attack, hammering home six kills for the Express. Zakarra Butts (Cortland, N.Y.) posted a team-best .154 hitting percentage, tallying five kills alongside only three errors in 13 total attacks. Setter Taryn Heath (Homer, N.Y.) recorded 13 of the team's 14 assists while outside hitter Katie Curtin (Cassville, N.Y.) recorded a team-leading eight digs defensively.

Curtin also accumulated two solo blocks and a service ace in the contest. Caitlyn Copfer (Clinton, N.Y.) posted a service ace of her own in the game while chipping in with two digs defensively. As a team, the Express posted five total blocks in the contest.

The Highlanders of Houghton College were also able to come away with a 3-0 sweep of the Express via set scores of 25-15, 25-12 and 25-13. Butts led the team in the second match with five lills and a team-best .067 hitting percentage. Curtin and freshman Courtney Wein (Martville, N.Y.) each recorded three kills apiece while Wein contributed defensively with six digs, tying for second on the squad in that category. Libero Nicole Loeven (Pawling, N.Y.) led the way defensively with 11 total digs in the match. Wells College also combined for six total blocks, with Butts and Leilani Yasutake (Germantown, N.Y.) each recording two solo blocks.

The Express return to action Saturday, Oct. 27 as they face-off against the University of Maine - Presque Isle in a 10:00 a.m. contest to conclude the Houghton College Invitational. Stay up to date with the latest news directly from the Wells College athletic department by "liking" us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WellsExpress) and subscribing to our Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/WellsExpress).