ELON, N.C. – Elon University volleyball opened the Aggie/Phoenix Volley for Unity tournament with a win as the maroon and gold defeated UNC Asheville 3-0 on Friday, Sept. 10 at Schar Center.

"It's nice to get our first home win of the season," head coach Mary Tendler said afterwards. "We had many different players contribute to the win both offensively and defensively; it was definitely a solid team effort."
 
Elon 3, UNC Asheville 0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-17)
THE RUNDOWN
The Phoenix (4-4) set the tone early with a 7-1 run to start the opening set. The Bulldogs (1-4) were able to trim Elon's lead to 9-6 and later 13-11, but that would be as close as the visitors would get. Haylie Clark set up Leah Daniel for a kill and then assisted Sydney Love for another three. Three consecutive UNCA errors helped the Phoenix pulled away 20-11. Jenn Krzeminksi and Love then rounded out the set with two kills each for the 25-16 tally.
 
Asheville tied the second set at 5-5 early on, but a block by Love and Natalie Cummins and a second block by Love and Krzeminski helped Elon create some separation at 8-5. Later in the set, a 6-1 push by the Phoenix made it a 22-13 advantage. Cummins then put away a ball from Clark and UNCA committed an attack error as Elon went up 2-0 with a 25-15 decision.
 
The Bulldogs were ahead 2-1 to begin the third set, but the lead was short-lived. Daniel scored back-to-back kills before serving an ace to put the Phoenix back in front, 4-2. Following an Asheville point, a pair of Jordan Gower service aces highlighted a 5-0 run to make it 9-3. A few points later, Cummins put away an attack to begin another 5-0 run as Elon pulled away 14-5. Down 20-9, the Bulldogs were able to net four unanswered points, but it wouldn't be enough. Claire Richey subbed in and contributed a late solo block before both sides exchanged service errors to bring the match to a close.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Elon's attack was led by Daniel, who scored 13 kills and added two aces. Cummins followed with eight kills and Love was right behind her with seven. Clark collected 34 assists with two kills and six digs. Cummins recorded a team-high five blocks while Love and Kellyn Trowse added four each. Gower paced the back row with 15 digs and served a pair of aces.
 
"We are very appreciative of our fans and the band providing a great atmosphere in Schar Center," added Tendler. "We look forward to competing again tomorrow night against Mercer."
 
NOTES
- Elon trims Ashville's lead in the all-time series to 18-10.
- The match featured just three ties and only one lead change.
- Elon edged the Bulldogs in points (57.0-28.0), kills (42-23), service aces (6-3), blocks (9-2), assists (39-22) and digs (40-37).
- Clark has reached double-digit assists in all eight matches this season.
- Daniel converted 13-of-25 attempts with one attack error for a .480 hitting percentage while Krzeminski turned in a .667 clip after scoring 6-of-9 attempts.
- Love's four blocks mark a season high.
- Elon held Asheville to a .065 hitting percentage, the lowest by an opponent this season.

UP NEXT
Elon will conclude the Aggie/Phoenix Volley for Unity Tournament with a 6 p.m. match versus Mercer on Saturday. Mercer and A&T open Day Two of the tournament at 12 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. tilt between Asheville and NCCU. All three matches will be played at Schar Center.