ELON, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team topped UNCW 15-8 in the fifth set to earn its first win of the season on Saturday, March 6 at Schar Center.
 
"It was a great team win tonight," head coach Mary Tendler said. "We were very confident at the service line, even in the deciding fifth set. Our passers stepped up to the challenge of seeing some very tough serves and battled from start to finish. There are definitely things we need to improve on for tomorrow's match. We will watch video and make some adjustments both offensively and defensively."
 
Elon 3, UNCW 2 (23-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-18, 15-8)
THE RUNDOWN
The Seahawks (0-6, 0-3 CAA) held a 17-12 advantage midway through the first set when a Jenn Krzeminski kill ignited a 7-0 Phoenix (1-3, 1-2 CAA) run that gave the maroon and gold the lead at 19-17. The visitors responded with a 4-0 push of their own, however, and held on for a 25-23 final for the first set point.

Set Two was close for most of the way. After a 3-0 run pulled the Seahawks to within 19-20, Gabi Croll started a 5-1 swing as Elon responded with a 25-20 decision. Elon then built an early 11-5 lead in the third set, but UNCW wrestled away control with a 9-1 run that made it 14-12. Later, a Natalie Cummins service ace got the Phoenix to within 20-19, but the guests took off again as a 25-20 tally gave the Seawhawks the 2-1 match lead.

The Phoenix controlled most of Set Four thanks to an early 9-1 push that made it 13-5. UNCW was never able to catch Elon from there, and a Leah Daniel kill and a Seahawk attack error knotted the match at two sets apiece as the maroon and gold earned a 25-18 set point. In the deciding set, Kodi Garcia set up Haylie Clark for a kill and Alex VanWestrienen then recorded an ace to put Elon out front 3-1 early. The team never gave up control from there as Daniel bookended a 5-0 spurt with a kill and a service ace. A UNCW service error and a Garcia ace then sealed the set 15-8 as Elon earned the 3-2 victory.

HIGHLIGHTS
The Phoenix had three double-doubles in the march: Clark posted 22 assists with 10 kills, Garcia ended up with 19-assists and 11 digs, and Daniel scored a team-high 19 kills with 10 digs. Additionally, four different players served two aces each. Cummins and Krzeminski both finished with five blocks, Gower reached 15 digs, and VanWestrienen also reached double digits with 11 digs.

NOTES
- UNCW still leads the overall series, but Elon has pulled to within 24-16.
- Elon snapped a three-match skid to the Seahawks.
- It was the team's first win over UNCW since a 3-2 home victory on Oct. 19, 2018.
 
Up Next
The Phoenix and Seahawks will play again on Sunday, March 7 with a 3 p.m. first serve.