DURHAM, N.C. – Elon University volleyball wrapped up non-conference action with a four-set win at N.C. Central Wednesday night, Oct. 16 at McDougald-McLendon Arena. The final marked the 800th victory in program history.
 
"N.C. Central came on strong in that third and fourth set," said head coach Mary Tendler. "They didn't make many errors. We stayed patient though and finished the match strong. It was a total team effort today and we will need that as we continue through our CAA schedule."

The Phoenix improves to 10-11 overall with the result.
 
Elon 3, NCCU 1 | 25-22, 25-15, 20-25, 25-22
THE RUNDOWN
Elon led from start to finish in the opening set, building an early 7-2 lead. A Natalie Cummins and Leah Daniel block made it 13-5 in favor of the maroon and gold. The Lady Eagles (3-18) chipped away until the hosts got to within a point at 17-16, but NCCU committed three-straight attack errors. Daniel scored a pair of attacks to earn set point with a 25-22 tally.

The offense continued in the second set as the Phoenix scored five unanswered to start. Three Daniel scores and an ace by Alex VanWestrienen highlighted another 5-0 push that gave Elon a 12-5 advantage. NCCU was never able to recover, and Elon took the set 25-15 for a 2-0 match lead.

NCCU finally got going in Set Three as a pair of 3-0 runs helped the Lady Eagles go up 10-7. Elon couldn't quite catch the home team from there. Back-to-back kills by Julia Crabtree and Madi Genaway closed the gap at 23-20, but NCCU earned the next two points.

The Phoenix found itself trailing 6-1 at the beginning of Set Four. Kodi Garcia then assisted Haylie Clark and the sophomore out of St. Cloud, Fla. followed with an ace to jumpstart a 4-0 response that knotted the set at 7-7. The Lady Eagles continued to pull away, but Elon battled back to tie the score four more times. Even at 21-21, a Cummins attack fell for a point and NCCU committed an attack error. Clark and Nori Thomas then connected for consecutive kills to secure the victory.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Krzeminski posted a .647 hitting percentage and led the offense with a season-high 11 kills. The freshman from Furlong, Pa. added a dig and three blocks to her totals. Clark followed with 10 kills, 38 assists and three service aces, while Daniel also scored 10 kills. Jordan Gower also set a new season high with 24 digs.

NOTES
-The win marked the 22nd in a row versus the maroon and gray.
-Elon now leads the all-time series 28-5.
-The Phoenix went 6-8 in non-conference play this season.
-Elon held the advantage in kills (65-38), assists (63-36), digs (78-68), and points (80.0-56.0).
-The 65 kills and 63 assists mark new season highs for a four-set match.
-The match featured just nine ties and only one lead change.
 
UP NEXT
Elon is at home this weekend as the Phoenix hosts William & Mary for a 1 p.m. conference match this Sunday, Oct. 20.