ELON, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team won its sixth consecutive match on Saturday, as the Phoenix earned a straight-sets victory against Stony Brook in its return to Schar Center. The team's six straight conference wins are the most since Elon joined the Colonial Athletic Association in 2014. 
 
"Today was a great way to start our Senior Day weekend," head coach Mary Tendler said. "We were excited to be back in front of our home crowd after a couple of weekends on the road. We will need another big effort tomorrow as we try to close out the regular season with a win." 
 
With the win, Elon is 13-12 overall and 10-5 in CAA contests. Stony Brook falls to 9-15 overall and 4-11 in the conference with the loss. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• A 7-2 run early in the opening set helped the Phoenix race out to an 11-5 advantage. Elon's first three points came on Leah Daniel kills, as the senior delivered four in the match's first 11 points. Stony Brook pulled back within three but could not get any closer, as the Phoenix won the final four points of the set to win it 25-18. 
• The Seawolves won the first three points of the second set and went ahead 6-3. However, Elon quickly clawed back, as a 4-0 run capped by a Jordan Gower ace gave the Phoenix its first lead of the frame at 7-6. Elon built a 19-13 advantage before a 4-0 Stony Brook cut the lead to two. A Sydney Love kill halted Stony Brook's run, but the Seawolves pulled within one late. Up 24-23, Elon converted its second set point opportunity on a Seawolves attack error to win the frame 25-23. 
• The Phoenix continued its momentum into the third set, as Elon took a quick 9-4 lead. Elon controlled the set throughout, leading by as many as eight points. Stony Brook fought back late, as a 4-0 scoring spurt cut Elon's advantage to 23-19. However, kills by Claire Richey and Sydney Love secured a 25-21 win in the third set to clinch the match.  

NOTES AND STATS

• Leah Daniel paced the Phoenix with a team-high 11 kills. Elon's all-time career kills leader has now registered double-digit kills in seven straight matches and in 20 contests this season. The senior had five kills in the third set to lead the team. 
• Clara LaRue had nine kills, including four in the third set. The freshman finished with a .304 hitting percentage, marking the second time this season she has hit over .300 when attempting at least 20 attacks. 
• With a team-high 32 assists, Haylie Clark has now posted double digits in 78 straight matches. The senior has reached 30 assists on 17 occasions this season. She also finished with nine digs, leaving her just one short of her 13th double-double this season. 
• Jordan Gower racked up a team-high 26 digs, finishing just three short of her season high of 29, which came on Aug. 27 against High Point. This was the most digs Gower has ever posted in a three-set match, and her 8.67 digs per set marked a career best. The senior also led the team with three aces. 
• Claire Richey led the Phoenix with four blocks. The senior has at least four blocks in five of the last six matches. 
• Sydney Love had eight kills and three blocks. Love, who entered the match averaging the most blocks per set among all CAA outside hitters, has multiple blocks in 15 matches this season. 
• As a team, Elon outpaced Stony Brook in kills (39-38), aces (7-6) and digs (57-53). The Seawolves led the Phoenix in blocks (7-6) and assists (38-35). 
• Elon's current six-match winning streak is the team's longest since 2016. 
• This was Elon's first home match since the team defeated College of Charleston on Oct. 23. The Phoenix is now 5-5 in matches played at Schar Center this season. 

UP NEXT
Elon concludes its regular season on Sunday, which will be Senior Day for the Phoenix. The match will start at 2 p.m. following a recognition ceremony for seniors Haylie Clark, Leah Daniel, Jenn Krzeminski, Claire Richey and Alex VanWestrienen.