ELON, N.C. – Elon University volleyball secured another conference victory as the Phoenix (12-7, 7-2 CAA) defeated visiting UNCW in straight sets on Saturday, Oct. 16 at Schar Center.

"UNCW started the match out really well, but we responded to that with some good play on our side," head coach Mary Tendler said following the win. "We didn't have many unforced errors which made them earn their points. We seemed to keep getting better and better as the match went along. We will need another big effort tomorrow on Senior Day."
 
Elon 3, UNCW 0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-11)
THE RUNDOWN
The opening set remained close, with the Seahawks (2-16, 1-6) scoring back-to-back kills to take an 11-9 lead. Leah Daniel and Kellyn Trowse converted a pair of attacks and Haylie Clark served an ace to highlight a 4-0 run by the Phoenix, but the visitors were able to pull even at 13-13. With the sides knotted at 21-21 late in the set, three UNCW attack errors and a block by Natalie Cummins and Sydney Love gave the maroon the decision at 25-21.

In Set Two, Elon established an 8-4 advantage thanks to 7-1 swing. A pair of aces from Clark, as well as two kills and a block by Cummins and Daniel highlighted the run. The Phoenix then outscored the Seahawks 8-1 to pull away, 19-7. UNCW was unable to recover as a 25-12 tally made it a 2-0 Elon lead.

The third set was tied at 5-5 when Elon's offense took off, scoring eight unanswered points. Cummins put away a ball from Clark to start the run, and Jenn Krzeminski followed with a pair of kills. Julia Crabtree and Trowse then followed with another two kills before UNCW committed three straight attack errors. Elon distanced itself with another 10-2 push to go up 23-8. Presly Austin then assisted Clark for a score and a Seahawks attack was too long as the Phoenix closed out the match with a 25-11 total.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Elon's attack was led by Daniel, who swung for a .500 clip and led both teams with 10 kills. She added four digs and one block to her match totals. Trowse was next with eight kills, Krzeminski followed with seven kills and Love chipped in six. Clark contributed 34 assists and three service aces. Jordan Gower collected a team-high 17 digs, Cummins recorded three blocks and Love made two blocks (one solo).
 
NOTES
- Elon has now won three straight against UNCW and closes the Seahawks' lead in the all-time series to 24-18.
- The match featured 21 ties and seven lead changes. There were 15 ties and five lead changes in the opening set.
- Elon outhit UNCW, .400 - .041.
- The Phoenix also edged the Seahawks in points (50.0-32.0), kills (42-25), blocks (4-3), assists (40-24) and digs (46-35). Both sides served four aces.
- Clark pushes her stretch of double-digit assists to 44 matches.
- Krzeminski is now one dig shy of 100 for her career.

UP NEXT
Elon and UNCW return tomorrow for a 3 p.m. contest. The match marks Senior Day as the Phoenix will recognize Kellyn Trowse, Julia Crabtree, Natalie Cummins and Ashlee Brackett.