CLINTON, S.C. – Strong serving helped Elon University volleyball get back in the win column as the Phoenix (2-3) earned a 3-0 victory over Presbyterian on Friday, Sept. 3 at Templeton Center.

"Great job by the players in getting a 3-0 road win," head coach Mary Tendler said afterwards. "Our serve was really effective tonight and allowed us to get on a few good scoring runs. I liked the energy by the entire team and players came off the bench and made plays. We look forward to continuing our good play on the road tomorrow night."
 
Elon 3, Presbyterian 0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-19)
THE RUNDOWN
A pair of 3-0 runs helped the Phoenix jump out to an early 6-2 lead, but the Blue Hose (2-3) were able to take the lead 14-13 with a 4-0 run of their own. Five unanswered points gave the hosts a 20-17 advantage late, but an Alex VanWestrienen ace capped off an 8-2 response as Elon won the opening set, 25-22.
 
With Set Two tied at 6-6, Julia Crabtree scored a ball from Jordan Gower. The kill opened a 5-0 run and the Phoenix never looked back. A pair of Jenn Krzeminski service aces helped widen the margin at 17-8 and Elon took the second set, 25-16.
 
PC came out hot in the third set as the Blue Hose went ahead, 9-3. The hosts wouldn't be able to hold off the Phoenix, though. After back-to-back errors, a Gower service ace, a Krzeminski kill and a block by Krzeminski and Kellyn Trowse trimmed the PC lead to 10-9. Elon then took the lead 16-14 thanks to three straight kills by Leah Daniel and a pair of aces from Krzeminski. The Blue Hose came out of a timeout with a pair of points to pull even at 16-16, but the Phoenix took off with a 6-0 run. The sides then traded points as a 25-19 decision gave the maroon and gold the victory.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Krzeminski and Daniel paced the attack with nine kills each, and Trowse was right behind them with eight. Clark tallied 28 assists on the night while Krzeminski led Elon with four aces. Gower and VanWestrienen also served two aces each while Clark and Trowse both served one. Krzeminski also had a strong match defensively with a team-high four blocks. Trowse and Daniel added two blocks each while Crabtree and Natalie Cummins both had one. Trowse finished with nine digs, and Gower and Clark followed with seven apiece.
 
NOTES
- PC still leads the all-time series 15-12, but Elon has now won four straight against the Blue Hose and is 2-0 in the program's Division I era.
- Elon edged the Blue Hose in points (51.0-44.0), kills (36-34), aces (10-6) and blocks (5-4). Both teams totaled 32 assists and PC recorded more digs, 38-33.
- The match featured 15 ties and seven lead changes, to include just one in the third set.
- The 10 service aces marks Elon's most since serving 13 in a 3-1 win over UNCW on March 7 this past spring. Daniel led the Phoenix in that match with five.
- Krzeminski converted 9-of-12 attempts for a .750 hitting percentage. It marks the second-best hitting percentage of her career as she turned in an .875 clip at UNCG on March 18, 2021. She scored 7-of-8 attempts in that match as the Phoenix earned a 3-0 win over the Spartans. Her nine kills also ties her season high.
- Trowse eclipsed 400 career digs tonight. She entered the match needing two to reach the milestone. The Tampa, Fla. Native is also four blocks away from reaching 100 in her time wearing the maroon and gold.
- Gower is now 19 digs away from reaching 600 for her career.

UP NEXT
Elon plays again on Saturday at Furman. First serve from Alley Gymnasium is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+.