TOWSON, Md. – Elon University volleyball couldn't make it six wins a row as the maroon and gold fell to Towson, 3-1 on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 3 at SECU Arena.

"We did not get the result we were looking for today, but we can take a lot of positives from the match and the weekend overall," head coach Mary Tendler said afterwards. "Our serving was very effective and our offense did a good job against a strong defensive team. We will get back in the gym tomorrow to work on the things we need to work on and start preparing for our next matches against JMU in Schar Center."
 
Elon 1, Towson 3 (22-25, 22-25, 25-21, 21-25)
THE RUNDOWN
In the opening set, a couple of Jordan Gower service aces helped the Phoenix (10-6, 5-1 CAA) build an early 5-2 lead. After kills from Leah Daniel and Julia Crabtree made it 12-9, the Tigers (16-2, 4-2) took over with six unanswered points. A late kill by Daniel and a block from Natalie Cummins and Kellyn Trowse pulled Elon to within a point at 23-22, but a kill and a service ace allowed the hosts to claim the first set.

Set Two remained close from start to finish. A 3-0 run put the maroon and gold ahead 13-11, but a 5-1 response by the Tigers gave them control at 18-16. A Trowse service ace tied the score at 18-18, but Towson took off with three straight points. Cummins and Daniel posted a late block to trim the hosts' lead at 23-22, but TU went up 2-0 with another 25-22 decision.

Elon found itself behind 8-2 at the start of the third set, but a Sydney Love kill opened a 5-0 run as the Phoenix pulled to within 15-14. A pair of Jenn Krzeminski service aces then highlighted a 7-0 run that put Elon in front, 21-17. The sides then traded 3-0 runs down the stretch as Elon avoided the sweep with a 25-21 result.

Haylie Clark and Daniel turned in back-to-back kills to knot the fourth set at 9-9. However, the Tigers outscored the Phoenix 9-2 to pull away. Down the stretch, a Daniel kill and Towson attack error gave Elon some hope at 24-21. Unfortunately, the Tigers won the next point and the match for the 3-1 final. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS
The Phoenix had three players score double-digit kills: Daniel led both teams with 18 kills and Trowse and Love finished with 10 each. Clark collected 44 assists with eight kills, one ace, one block and six digs. Gower served two aces and recorded a match-high 16 digs. Trowse also served two aces and added four assists, two blocks and six digs to her totals. Krzeminski also led both teams with seven blocks (one solo), while Cummins and Love followed with four each. Alex VanWestrienen contributed one ace and was second on the team in digs with seven.
 
NOTES
- The all-time series now stands at 15-2 in favor of the Tigers.
- Despite the loss, the Phoenix is still atop the CAA standings.
- Elon edged Towson in points (75.0-74.0), service aces (8-7), blocks (11-6) and digs (50-47).
- The match featured 20 ties, including 11 in the second set, and nine lead changes.
- Clark's 44 assists were her second-highest tally this season. The effort helped her eclipse 1,500 career assists.

UP NEXT
Elon will host James Madison for two conference matches next Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9-10 at Schar Center. Both matches are scheduled for 2 p.m. starts.