TOWSON, Md. – Elon University volleyball struggled to get its offense going in the first couple of sets as the Phoenix fell to Towson 3-0 Friday night, Nov. 2, at SECU Arena.
 
"We had a very slow start to the match, but improved our play as the match went along," said head coach Mary Tendler. "We tried many things to try to slow their offense down, but weren't able to do enough. We need a better start on Sunday at JMU."
 
Elon drops to 13-12 overall and 4-9 in CAA play with the loss. Towson is now one match from getting back to .500 at 13-14 with a 7-6 mark in the league.
 
THE RUNDOWN
The host Tigers opened set one with a 7-2 run, forcing an early timeout by the Phoenix. Elon was able to cut into the lead 9-7 with kills by Nori Thomas and Kam Terry, but the home team wouldn't let the Phoenix get any closer. TU used a pair of four-point spurts to pull away and earn a 25-13 decision.
 
After a Terry service ace to open set two, the teams went back and forth before TU scored eight unanswered to take an 18-8 lead. Elon came storming back though, posting a 7-1 response to close the gap 20-16. A block by Elizabeth Coil and Madi Genaway got Elon to within 22-19, but the Tigers held on for a 2-0 match lead.
 
In set three, TU put together runs of 4-0 and 5-0 to jump out to a 10-4 advantage. A Thomas kill finally lit a fire for the Phoenix offense as Elon took over with a 10-2 stretch. The Tigers then wrestled back the lead with a pair of 3-0 runs. Kellyn Trowse scored a kill get to within 23-20, but TU earned consecutive points to get the match victory.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Offensively, Elon was paced by Terry and Trowse with eight and six kills, respectively. Kodi Garcia reached 16 assists and Terry served the lone ace for the Phoenix. On the other side of the net, Maddie Jaudon recorded a team-high digs, with four other players following with four each. Alexa Pavlick ended the night with three block assists.

NOTES
-Garcia passed the 2,000-career assists mark.
-Needing just one dig to reach 400 for her career, Erin Kelly totaled four in the loss.
-Trowse added a season-high three assists to her match totals.
-With the win, Towson is now 11-1 in the all-time series.
-The match featured 13 ties three lead changes.
 
UP NEXT.
Elon will play again Sunday, Nov. 2, as the maroon and gold meets James Madison in a 1 p.m. match at Sinclair Gymnasium.