Box Score

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team dropped its final match of the 2010 Elon Classic Saturday afternoon, as the Phoenix fell, 3-0 (27-29, 20-25, 15-25) to the Liberty University Flames inside Jordan Gymnasium.

Elon (7-4) finished the two-day tournament with a 1-2 record, while Liberty went 2-1. The Northern Illinois University Huskies claimed the tournament title with a 3-0 record, while Stetson finished fourth with a 0-3 mark.

“We have a quick turnaround, as we play Charlotte on Tuesday, so there are areas we need to improve on in a short amount of time,” said Elon head coach Mary Tendler. “Our passing wasn’t up to par in our match today against Liberty, but I thought we blocked well up front and performed well in other areas.”

Sophomore Carly Ledbetter and junior Traci Stewart both tallied a team-high eight kills for the Phoenix, while sophomore Ali Deatsch paced Elon with a team-best eight digs.

The Phoenix and Flames battled point-for-point in the opening set, but Elon managed to take a two-point lead and force a Liberty timeout after a key block up front by Ledbetter and junior Caroline Lemke gave Elon a 14-12 lead.

But the Flames would not go quietly, as the two squads battled to a 20-all tie late in the game, with Liberty eventually pulling out the 29-27 win after a kill by all-tournament performer Karyl Bacon. Bacon tallied 20 kills for the Flames in the win.

The Flames carried the momentum into the second set, as Liberty broke a 6-6 tie with an 8-3 run to put the Phoenix behind, 14-9. Elon mounted a comeback late to limit the deficit to three points, 23-20, but the Flames rallied to secure the 25-20 win and a 2-0 lead.

Liberty claimed the victory in the final set, downing the Phoenix, 25-15.

Elon will be back in action Tuesday, Sept. 14, when it heads to Charlotte to face the 49ers at 7 p.m.

Elon Classic All-Tournament Team
Kristin Hawkins (MVP) – Northern Illinois
Lauren Wicinski – Northern Illinois
Mary Kurisch – Northern Illinois
Karyl Bacon – Liberty
Lillie Happel – Liberty
Sarah Schermerhorn – Elon
Ellen Hawks – Stetson

Team Finish
1. Northern Illinois (3-0)
2. Liberty (2-1)
3. Elon (1-2)
4. Stetson (0-3)