GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team captured its third win in a row as the Phoenix (3-3, 2-2 CAA) earned a straight-set victory over UNC Greensboro on Thursday night, March 18 at Fleming Gymnasium.
 
"It felt great to play again after missing matches last weekend; it felt even better to get a 3-0 win on the road," said head coach Mary Tendler. "Our offense stayed very consistent throughout the night and we finished the match very strong. We look forward to playing in Schar Center on Saturday and celebrating our senior class."

Elon 3, UNCG 0  (25-16, 25-22, 25-18)
THE RUNDOWN
Elon used an early 5-0 run, highlighted by a pair of Leah Daniel kills, to jump out to a 9-5 lead in the opening set. UNCG's Maria Esch converted an attack to pull the Spartans (2-11, 2-10 SoCon) to within a point at 13-12, but Ericka Link assisted Kellyn Trowse as the Phoenix took off with six unanswered. After four consecutive errors by the hosts, Haylie Clark served an ace to secure the first set point, 25-16.

Neither side could get much of a run going in the second set. Neck and neck the entire way, Elon finally gained control at 23-22 as Trowse scored on the assist by Clark. A UNCG attack error and another Daniel kill then made it a 2-0 match lead as Elon claimed the set, 25-22.

The Spartans built an 11-8 advantage in Set Three, but were unable to hold onto it for long. Link set up Daniel for a kill as Elon wrestled away the lead with an 8-1 swing. The Phoenix never looked back from there and used a 4-0 push to lead 23-17 late. After a service error by Link, kills from Gabi Croll and Clark sealed the 3-0 victory.

HIGHLIGHTS
Clark turned in a 17-assist, 13-dig double-double and Daniel paced the attack with 12 kills. Croll swung for a .316 clip and followed with eight kills, and Jenn Krzeminski hit .875 with seven kills. Link also reached double-digit assists with 10 and Alex VanWestrienen served four aces. On defense, Jordan Gower reached 13 digs while Krzeminski, Natalie Cummins and Croll all recorded two blocks.

NOTES
- UNCG still leads the all-time series, 36-21.
- This was the fourth consecutive win over the Spartans.
- Elon held the advantage in total points (50.0-43.0), kills (39-35), service aces (7-4) and digs (51-45). Both teams recorded four blocks and the Spartans just edged the Phoenix in assists (34-33).
- This was the third-straight double-double outing for Clark.
- VanWestrienen's four aces mark a new career high.
- Cummins needs nine blocks to reach 200 for her career.
- Tonight's match marked the first career start and first appearance as a Phoenix for Link.
 
Up Next
Elon is back at Schar Center this Saturday, March 20 as the team hosts Davidson for a non-conference match. The match marks Senior Day for the Phoenix and first serve is scheduled for 2 p.m.