GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Elon Phoenix volleyball squad picked up a big win Tuesday night, defeating UNC Greensboro 3-1 (32-30, 30-28, 20-30, 30-23) and improving to 9-10 overall and 4-2 in the Southern Conference. UNCG falls to 11-9 (4-2 SoCon).
Emily Lucci recorded her fourth double-double of the season, tallying 11 kills and 15 digs in the four-game set. The Spartans’ Branagan Fuller led all players with 21 kills.
UNCG jumped out to an early 9-2 lead in game one, but the Phoenix mounted a comeback near the end of the match with a seven-two run to bring the score to 30-29 to Elon’s advantage. The Spartan offense was strong, with Fuller tallying seven kills in the frame, but Elon’s defense, led by Blakewood’s seven digs and Copenhagen's two blocks, eventually prevailed with a 32-30 win for the Phoenix.
Game two was neck-and-neck as the squads traded serves back and forth, until with the score tied 13-13, Elon went on a six-one run to take a 19-14 lead. Not to be outdone, the Spartans tied the match at 24-all, scoring four unanswered points on three-straight kills and a Phoenix error. The Phoenix defense carried its momentum through the second game with Blakewood posting seven digs and Lucci adding ten as Elon went on to take a 2-0 lead in the match with a 30-28 victory. Wilson had five kills for the Phoenix in the frame, while Copenhagen tallied four.
The Spartans opened game three with a 4-1 run and never allowed Elon the chance to hold the lead. Elon pulled the score within one, but UNCG’s offense, behind an impressive performance from Fuller, led to an eventual 30-20 triumph for the Spartans. Fuller hit 1.000 for UNCG in the stanza, tallying three kills, while the Spartan defense posted three team blocks. Wilson added three kills for Elon, as did Lucci, but the Phoenix could not muster up enough offense to overcome UNC Greensboro as the Spartans forced a fourth game.
The match trend continued in the fourth stanza as the Phoenix and Spartans played a close game, though Elon never relinquished the lead, eventually taking the game and the match with a 30-23 victory.
Natalie Moore dished out 23 assists for Elon, while Emily Regan had 22. The Phoenix logged nine team blocks, led by Lucci’s five and Copenhagen's four. Blakewood finished the match with 22 digs.
The Phoenix will return to Alumni Gym on Friday and Saturday as Elon hosts Appalachian State and Davidson. Match times are set for 7 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.
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