ELON, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team dropped its first home match of the season on Sunday in a 3-0 loss to Southern Conference foe Georgia Southern in Alumni Gym. The Eagles took the match by scores of 30-21, 30-21 and 30-27.

In game one, Georgia Southern took an early advantage, but the Phoenix stayed within four points. Ahead by four at 23-19, the Eagles went on 6-0 run behind the serve of Mae Chabra to go ahead 29-19 before closing the game 30-21 on a kill from Gorana Basic.

With game two tied at 13-13, Georgia Southern used a 9-1 run to take a seven-point lead at 22-15. The Eagles extended the lead to 12 at 27-15 before the Phoenix earned points to get within eight at 27-19. But the Eagles finished the game on a kill from Iulia Porumbescu to take game two 30-21.

Game three saw eight tie scores and five lead changes with the last tie coming at 26-26. GSU took a 27-26 lead on a Porumbescu kill and add another point on a kill from Cristie Mitchell to go ahead 28-26. Elon took it back to a one-point game at 28-27 before the Eagles finished the game on back-to-back kills from Mitchell and Porumbescu to take the win 30-27.

Georgia Southern (9-5, 2-0 Southern Conference) was led by Porumbescu with 10 kills and 11 digs. Jennifer Charles recorded eight kills for the Eagles while Natalia Galantini registered 22 assists.

Elon (3-9, 1-1 SoCon) was led by Britany Westphal with nine kills while Emily Lucci led the defense with eight digs and Brooke Pickard recorded seven. Natalie Moore tallied 15 assists for the Phoenix.

Elon returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 27 in a non-conference match with Charlotte at 7 p.m. in Alumni Gym. Georgia Southern returns to action in a home match with Furman on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m.

-ELON-

Match Box Score