ELON/HIGH POINT, N.C. – Elon University volleyball split the final day of the Tussle in the Triad on Saturday, Sept. 16, defeating UNCG 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-23) before closing the day with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-13) loss to High Point.
 
"Our whole team is very excited about what we have accomplished in our pre-conference matches," said Elon head coach Mary Tendler. "Our first-year players have had a lot of time on the court and are contributing. Our offense and defense have both taken steps in the right direction and we look forward to starting CAA play next weekend at home."
 
With non-conference tournament action complete, Elon stands at 10-4 on the season. The win over UNCG improved Elon's winning streak to seven before High Point snapped it, putting the Phoenix's record at 10-4 entering Colonial Athletic Association play.
 
MATCH 1: Elon 3, UNCG 0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-23)
THE RUNDOWN
The two teams opened the match trading the first 20 points before Elon went on a 5-0 run to take a 15-10 lead. UNCG pulled its way back in, making in a one-point set at 19-18, but a kill from Sydney Busa and a ball handling error pushed the lead back to three at 21-18 to bring a UNCG timeout. After the break, the Spartans cut Elon's lead to one again at 24-23, but out of an Elon timeout Kam Terry provided the set-winning kill to win it 25-23.
 
Early in the second set, Elon won four consecutive points to try to take control after UNCG took the opening point, but Spartans fought their way back and kept the set even until the Phoenix went on a 5-0 run to take a 14-12 deficit to a 17-14 lead to cause a UNCG timeout. Elon did extend the lead to 19-15 and kept the four-point lead at 22-18 before UNCG went on a quick 3-0 run to cut it within one at 22-21. Elon called for a timeout, and on the other side of the break it won three consecutive points to clinch the set 25-21.
 
Like the first two sets, the third was tight throughout with neither team able to go up by more than Elon's five-point lead at 13-8. In the late stages, UNCG led 15-14 but Elon went on a 4-1 run to take an 18-16 lead that it then extended to three at 20-17 to bring a Spartan timeout. Following suit with the first set, UNCG held of three match points and cut the set to one at 24-23, but Terry again ended it with a kill to seal the win.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Terry led Elon with 13 kills. She also had nine digs and two blocks. Busa finished with a 10-kill, 11-dig double-double while adding four blocks in the win. Courtney Carpenter also posted seven kills and had five blocks. Making her first start, Madi Genaway added five kills. Kodi Garcia finished the match with 40 assists and three blocks.
 
MATCH 2: High Point 3, Elon 0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-13)
THE RUNDOWN
Out of the gate, Elon and High Point went back and forth until the Panthers went on a 3-0 run to go up 9-6. From there, it never allowed the Phoenix closer than two points at 10-8 and slowly increased its advantage to a set-high seven at 24-16, going on to take the set 25-17.
 
To start the second set, the Phoenix won the first point on a Terry kill, but High Point went on a 7-0 run that was extended to 10-2 and later to 13-3 to lead the set 13-4. Elon again tried to bring the set back within reach, but quick 3-0 and 4-0 runs helped finish off the set at 25-11.
 
Trying to start a comeback, Elon won the first three points of the third set but High Point answered with a 6-0 run. Elon kept the set close, drawing within two at 10-8 after back-to-back kills by Elizabeth Coil and again at 12-10, but the Panthers went on a 9-0 run to take command at 21-10 on the way to a 25-13 win.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Terry finished with a 10-kill, 10-dig double-double to lead Elon. Busa and Coil both added five kills while Busa had seven digs and Coil posted two blocks. Maddie Jaudon added 16 digs and Garcia 21 assists.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Courtney Carpenter, Elon
Maddie Jaudon, Elon
Haley Barnes, High Point
Abby Bottomley, High Point
Molly Livingston, High Point
Ashley Muench, UNCG
Patricia Mattingly, Navy

Tournament MVP: Haley Barnes, High Point
 
UP  NEXT
Elon will open CAA play on Friday, Sept. 22, with a 7 p.m. home match against Towson. That will be followed by a 7 p.m. match the following day on Saturday, Sept. 23, against Delaware in Alumni Gym.