WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Elon University volleyball's perfect start to the 2018 campaign ended Friday, Sept. 7, with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-19) loss on the road to Wake Forest in the Wake Forest Invitational.
 
"Even though the end result was a loss, I liked our energy level and how we competed against a team that played very well," said Elon head coach Mary Tendler. "The lessons we learned tonight will help us become a better team as we move closer to the start of conference play."
 
THE RUNDOWN
Wake Forest quickly jumped out to a lead in the first set in going up 6-2, forcing an Elon timeout. The Phoenix responded by coming back within two at 8-6 out of the break and kept the margin at two before an 8-0 Wake Forest run put the set out of reach at 20-10. Through one set, Wake Forest owned a .462 hitting percentage with 13 kills and just one error.
 
In the second, Wake Forest again took an early lead at 5-2 and extended it to 11-6 before a 4-1 run brought the Phoenix back within two at 12-10. While Wake Forest went on another run – this time a 7-2 run – to go up 18-11, Elon fought back to come within three at 22-19 before the Demon Deacons closed the set to take a 2-0 lead.
 
The third set saw Elon jump out to a 14-8 lead to bring a Demon Deacon timeout. Out of the break, though, Wake Forest went on a 12-0 run to take a 20-14 lead it wouldn't relinquish on the way to the win.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Kam Terry led Elon with nine kills and seven digs. Maddie Jaudon closed the night with 12 digs, two aces and an assist. Leah Daniel was second on the team with four kills and Natalie Cummins had a team-best three blocks.
 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix will close the Wake Forest Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 8, with 1:30 and 5 p.m. matches against Akron and Georgia Southern, respectively.