Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – After dropping the first set at Wofford, the Elon University volleyball team stormed back to take the next three sets to defeat the Terriers, 3-1 (18-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-16). Senior Sarah Schermerhorn continued her dominance on the court with a match-high 16 kills and .591 attack percentage. With the win, Elon moves to 18-13 on the season and to 9-5 in Southern Conference play to retain the lead of the North Division. Wofford drops to 12-20 on the season and 2-12 in conference play.

“We had to battle tonight to pull off this win against a strong Wofford team,” said head Elon volleyball coach Mary Tendler.  “Megan (McMahon) really stepped up and put her hitters in a good position to attack and played strong defense. I'm proud of our team for playing so well during this road stretch. The wins are evidence of our maturity. We look forward to playing our final weekend at home. Not only are we fighting to win the North Division championship but we will also celebrate the careers of three seniors who have been an integral part to the success of this program.”

Junior Caroline Lemke recorded 12 kills on the night for a .455 attack percentage, while junior Traci Stewart and sophomore Allison Johnson tallied 13 and 11 kills, respectively, each earning a .385 attack percentage. Junior Megan McMahon registered 49 assists on the night to put the hitters in perfect striking position.

McMahon also contributed to the defensive attack with the match-high 14 digs and four total blocks. Lemke also recorded four total blocks, while Schermerhorn finished with three. The Phoenix out-blocked the Terriers 9-6 on the night.

In the first set, Wofford jumped out to an early 4-1 lead, but a kill by Stewart later evened the set at seven-all. With the score tied at 10-all, the Terriers went on a 6-1 run to move the score to 16-11. The Phoenix was not able to make up the difference and eventually dropped the set 25-18.

Elon picked it up in the second set and turned the match around by taking a 10-4 lead. Up five points, three straight kills by Johnson, Lemke and Stewart helped Elon to go on a four-point run that widened the lead to nine points, 15-6. The set ended after a 6-1 Elon run helped the Phoenix to a 25-15 victory and tied the match at one-all.

The third set started off to a quick 3-0 Elon lead off a kill from Johnson. The Phoenix extended its lead to six points with the score at 18-12, but Wofford rallied back to tie the score at 20-all. However, a 5-0 run by Elon, which included four kills from Schermerhorn, gave the set to the Phoenix, 25-20, and a 2-1 match lead.

With the risk of the fourth set being the final one of the match for Wofford, the Terriers took an early lead 8-4 over the Phoenix. But Elon went on a four-point run to tie the set at eight-all and then once again at 10-all. From there the Phoenix took control of the set and with the score at 13-11, Elon went on another four-point run to widen the advantage to six points. Wofford was not able to make up much ground and the match ended of a block from Lemke and McMahon to give the Phoenix the 25-16 fourth set win and the 3-1 match victory.

Elon will play its final two regular season matches next weekend at home in Alumni Gym. The Phoenix will take on Appalachian State on Friday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. and Western Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. for Senior Day.