ELON, N.C. – Elon University volleyball made it four wins in a row as the Phoenix (9-5, 4-0 CAA) defeated Delaware 3-0 on Sunday, Sept. 26 at Schar Center.

"We had a very quick turnaround from our last match," said head coach Mary Tendler. "Our players handled it really well and performed at a high level today both offensively and defensively. The fans were incredible all weekend; we sincerely appreciate the support!"
 
Elon 3, Delaware 0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-20)
THE RUNDOWN
Elon set the tone early as a block from Haylie Clark and Jenn Krzeminski started a 4-0 run to start the first set. The Blue Hens (5-8, 0-4) would pull even at 7-7, but kills by Sydney Love, Krzeminski and Kellyn Trowse put the maroon and gold back on top, 10-7. Later in the set, a pair of Leah Daniel scores and a service ace by Clark highlighted another 4-0 push that allowed Elon to pull away, 18-12. Julia Crabtree and Natalie Cummins denied a UD attack, then Cummins got the combo block with Love to make it a 22-14 lead. Clark then set up Krzeminksi to secure the set point at 25-17.

Another two service aces from Krzeminksi and Clark helped the Phoenix build an early 5-1 lead in Set Two. The visitors scored back-to-back kills to pull to within 18-16, but a kill by Love opened another 4-0 run by the Phoenix. A Daniel kill and consecutive UD attack errors led to another 25-17 decision as Elon won another set.

After the Blue Hens knotted the third set at 3-3, a pair of Cummins kills opened a 5-1 swing as the Phoenix jumped ahead, 8-4. Elon scored another four unanswered to create some separation at 13-8. Claire Richey and Crabtree made a block to cap off yet another 4-0 spurt as Elon went up 22-13, but the Blue Hens found some rhythm with a 7-1 response. It proved to be too late for the visitors, though, as a UD service error and a Daniel kill sealed the sweep.
 

Beat Delaware - ??#phoenixrising #ElonVB pic.twitter.com/x2AbjC268d

— Elon Volleyball (@ElonVB) September 26, 2021

 
HIGHLIGHTS
For the second match in a row, Daniel led both teams with 16 kills and swung for a .467 clip. She added two blocks and flirted with a double-double as she finished with eight digs. Krzeminski followed Daniel with nine kills, served one ace, recorded three blocks and collected one dig. Cummins contributed six kills and a team-high five blocks (one solo). Love also registered six kills to go along with one block and three digs. Clark tallied 37 assists with two aces, three blocks and three digs. Crabtree also turned in multiple blocks with two, and Jordan Gower led both teams with 13 digs.
 
NOTES
- With the win, Elon has pulled even in the all-time series at 7-7.
- The Phoenix has now won five in a row vs. the Blue Hens.
- Elon's 4-0 start to conference play marks the program's best in its Division I history.
- The match featured just two ties and no lead changes.
- Elon led Delaware in points (60.0-36.0), kills (46-34), service aces (5-0), blocks (9-2), assists (43-32) and digs (44-38).
- As a team, the maroon and gold swung for a .396 hitting percentage, which marks a season high.
- Trowse eclipsed 600 career kills while Clark reached 200.

UP NEXT
Elon is the road next weekend as the Phoenix travels to Towson, Md. for a pair of CAA matches against the Tigers. The teams will play on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3 with both meetings scheduled for 2 p.m. starts.