ELON, N.C. – A strong defensive effort helped Elon University volleyball cap off the Aggie/Phoenix Volley for Unity tournament with a 3-0 sweep of Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Schar Center.

"We are getting better defensively, which was much needed tonight," said head coach Mary Tendler. "Proud of the players for making plays at key moments to secure the 3-0 win."
 
Elon 3, Mercer 0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-18)
THE RUNDOWN
With the first set even at 4-4, Kellyn Trowse followed a Mercer service error with an ace. The sequence ignited a 7-1 swing that put the Phoenix (5-4) in control at 11-5. The Bears (3-5) earned the next point to halt the run, but Haylie Clark and Natalie Cummins combined for back-to-back blocks to build a 14-6 lead. Later in the set, Clark set up Sydney Love for a kill before a pair of Mercer attack errors pushed the Phoenix lead to 20-11. The Bears roared back with a 9-1 push that got the guests to within a point at 22-21, but Elon held on for the 25-22 decision.
 
Daniel converted consecutive attacks and Mercer followed with a pair of attack errors as Elon scored four unanswered to begin the second set. Another two Daniel kills and a block by Clark and Cummins then made it 12-7. The Bears were able to knot the score at 23-23, but kills form Love and Jenn Krzeminski closed out the set, 26-24.
 
Set Three resembled Set Two as the Phoenix jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. Mercer was unable to make up the deficit as another pair of Elon blocks capped off a 6-1 run that made it 20-12. The sides traded 3-0 runs late before Clark assisted Daniel twice to bring the match to a close.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Daniel led the Phoenix with 13 kills and added eight digs with three blocks. Krzeminski was next in scoring with nine kills and added five blocks to her totals. Cummins led the team with two service aces and seven blocks. The Baltimore, Md. native also had five kills and one dig. Love also collected five kills, Clark tallied 25 assists to go along with six blocks, and Julia Crabtree also recorded multiple blocks with two. Jordan Gower had the team-high in digs with 19, followed by Trowse with nine.
 
ASSISTING BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
"The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club is such a great organization," added Tendler. "We really appreciate the support from our fans this weekend to help make a difference in the lives of these kids."
 
It isn't too late to make an impact. Fans can still donate at Elon's fundraising page here.
 
NOTES
- With the win, Elon takes a 3-2 lead in the all-time series.
- The Phoenix has now won three straight matches versus the Bears.
- Elon led Mercer in points (49.5-42.0) and blocks (11-3) while the visitors edged the maroon and gold in kills (34-33) and assists (32-27). Both teams served five aces and recorded 52 digs.
- Cummins swung for a .250 clip, Daniel hit for .243 and Krzeminski .211.
- Daniel is now 37 kills away from reaching 1,000 for her career. She also eclipsed 300 digs tonight.
- Gower has now reached double-digit digs in four consecutive matches.
- Clark has collected double-digit assists in all nine matches this season. The Saint Cloud, Fla. native has now reached double-digit assists in 34 consecutive matches dating back to Oct. 10, 2019 versus James Madison.
- Cummins' seven blocks mark a new season high.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Leah Daniel, Elon
Natalie Cummins, Elon
Edie Brewer, North Carolina A&T
Naiya Sawtelle, North Carolina A&T
Lauren Janok, North Carolina Central
Ammaarah Williams, North Carolina Central
Peyton McClinton, UNC Ashville
Molly Hackett, UNC Ashville
Rayanne De Oliveira, Mercer
Brittany Major, Mercer

UP NEXT
Elon is on the road at North Carolina next Tuesday, Sept. 14. First serve at Carmichael Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m.