ELON, N.C. – Traci Stewart recorded a team-best seven kills for a .316 hitting percentage, as Elon fell 0-3 (25-18, 25-22, 25-21) to Samford in Southern Conference volleyball action on Thursday night. Elon dropped to 7-10 in the league and 18-15 overall. Samford, who clinched the North Division last week, improved to 27-3 and a sterling 16-1 mark in SoCon action.
Mandy Wilson added six kills in the effort, with Caroline Lemke notching five. As a team, Elon hit just a .122 against the hard-hitting Bulldogs. Stewart also led the team in blocks with two assisted blocks. Kelley Blakewood was the team leader in digs with nine, while Emily Regan recorded 13 assists.
Samford’s Kirstein Sosnowski and Samantha Bland helped the Bulldogs to a .294 team attack percentage by recorded 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Bland committed just two errors to led the team with a .421 hitting percentage. Five Bulldogs recorded one block, including Rachel Gadberry’s one solo block.
A bad set by Emily Regan gave Samford the first point of the match. The teams kept the set close before Samford jumped out to a 10-5 lead after five consecutive points. A kill by Sarah Schermerhorn ended the run. Samford answered with four straight to take a 14-6 lead. Wilson gave the Phoenix its 10th point of the night to make it a 20-10 set. With Samford leading 24-15, Elon put together three straight to make it a 24-18 game. A kill by Sheriden Stanghor sealed the set for Samford at 25-18
Elon opened the second set with a 3-1 lead before Samford tied the set at three and again at four before finally takin the lead at 6-4. Three consecutive Samford points allowed the Bulldogs a 9-5 advantage. Elon fought back, tying the set at 11 off a kill by Lemke. The teams knotted the score five more times before Samford fired two kills to take the lead once more. Back-to-back Phoenix points caused Samford to call a time out after Elon tied the set at 20. The teams would tie at 21 and 22 before the Bulldogs scored the final three points to win the set 25-22.
The teams kept the final set close, with neither team gaining more than a two-point lead, in the opening possessions of the set. Samford broke that trend when Sosnowski made it a 12-10 Samford advantage. Elon ended the run off a Samford miscue. Following a four-point run by the Bulldogs to make it a 16-10 set, Elon brought the set back within reach at 16-12. Elon battled hard, narrowing the lead to four at 17-21. Samford answered with two points to retake a six-point lead. Elon scored three straight points late, but could overtake the Bulldogs as they scored the final point of the game off a kill be Sosnowski.
Elon returns to the court Saturday at 2 p.m. when the Phoenix takes on Chattanooga at Alumni Gym in the final regular season match. Please plan to arrive early as Elon recognizes Blakewood, Shelley MacBean and Stef Meyers on Senior Day. Live stats and video streaming will be available for the match.
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