CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Despite a hard-fought first set, Elon University volleyball dropped its non-conference finale 3-0 to North Carolina on Tuesday night, Sept. 14 in Carmichael Arena.

"We went on the road and competed from the start against a very good, top-ranked UNC team," said head coach Mary Tendler. "We put ourselves in a position to win that first set, but fell short. I like how we battled in the second set even though we were behind."
 
Elon 0, North Carolina 3 (23-25, 17-25, 8-25)
THE RUNDOWN
The opening set was close from start to finish as Haylie Clark assisted Sydney Love before a UNC attack error knotted the score at 5-5. A pair of Leah Daniel kills highlighted a 4-0 run that put the Phoenix (5-5) in front, 10-7. Elon then benefited from multiple attack errors and bad sets by the Tar Heels (9-0) as five unanswered points extended the lead, 18-12. However, the hosts battled back to tie the set at 20-20. Jenn Krzeminski put away a set from Kellyn Trowse for another tie at 23-23, but Carolina earned the next two points to secure the 25-23 decision.

An early 4-1 run in the second set, highlighted by two kills from Love, gave the maroon and gold control at 7-6. UNC would answer with an 8-1 swing, though. Another kill by Daniel and a block by Clark and Natalie Cummins helped the Phoenix close the gap at 24-17, but UNC won the set point for the 2-0 match lead.

Elon could not slow the Tar Heel offense in the third set, quickly falling behind 9-1. An 8-0 UNC run then pushed the hosts' lead to 19-3. Love scored a pair of late kills and Krzeminski added another, but a 25-8 tally brought the match to an end.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Daniel led the maroon and gold with 12 kills and Love followed with eight. Clark continued her streak of matches with double-digit assists, finishing with 24. The senior captain also recorded two blocks while Krzeminski and Cummins collected one each. Trowse led the back row with eight digs and Jordan Gower followed with four.

"We learned a lot and we have been tested during non-conference play," added Tendler. "We are ready to start CAA play this weekend."
 
NOTES
- UNC extends its lead in the all-times series to 6-3.
- The Tar Heels received votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll released on Sept. 13.
- The match featured 15 ties, including 10 in the first set, and six lead changes.
- Carolina held the advantage in points (58.0-31.0), kills (46-29), services aces (7-0), blocks (5-2), assists (38-27) and digs (29-24).
- Clark 's consecutive matches with double-digit assists is now at 35.
- Daniel is now 25 kills away from reaching 1,000 for her career.

UP NEXT
Elon opens up conference play on the road as the team travels to Charleston, S.C. for two matches versus the College of Charleston Cougars (7-4) on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 17-18.