ELON, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team ended its regular season with a five-set defeat against Stony Brook on Sunday. 
 
With the victory, Stony Brook secured the eighth and final spot in next week's Colonial Athletic Association Tournament, finishing the regular season with a 10-15 overall record and 5-11 mark in CAA play. With the loss, Elon finished in a tie for third in the CAA with an overall record of 13-13 and a 10-6 conference mark. 
 
"Congratulations to Stony Brook, they needed the win to make the tournament and they got it done," head coach Mary Tendler said. "They had great ball control and stayed aggressive throughout the match. The intensity of this match will be very helpful as we head into the tournament. We look to bounce back with a win in the quarterfinals on Thursday." 
 
Prior to the match, Elon honored Haylie Clark, Leah Daniel, Jenn Krzeminski, Claire Richey and Alex VanWestrienen in its Senior Day recognition ceremony. The seniors combined for 35 of Elon's 57 kills, 10 of the team's 11 blocks nine of the team's 11 aces.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Seawolves took a 9-4 lead early in the opening set before Elon stormed back, winning the next five points to tie the score at 9-9. After Stony Brook responded with a 3-0 run, the Phoenix again won the next five points to go up 15-12. Elon led the rest of the frame, and a kill by Clara LaRue secured a 25-21 victory. 
• Stony Brook again raced out to a quick lead in the second, going up 13-9. Elon chipped away at its deficit throughout the set, and a late 6-0 scoring spurt gave the Phoenix just its second lead of the set at 22-19. From there, three kills by seniors Daniel and Krzeminski helped the Phoenix close out a 25-21 win. 
• For the third straight set, Stony Brook took a commanding early lead, as the Seawolves went ahead 4-0. However, Elon again responded and took a 15-12 advantage. Stony Brook battled back and closed the set on a 13-6 run to win 25-21 and force a fourth. 
• Another fast start put Stony Brook ahead 4-1 but Elon fought back to tie the score at 5-5. Tied at 11-11, the Seawolves won six of the next seven points to go ahead 17-12. Stony Brook never looked back, leading by at least four throughout the rest of the set on its way to a 25-20 win. 
• Stony Brook won the first three points of the final set and took a 6-3 advantage. Just like in the first four sets, the Phoenix rallied, tying the score at 6-6 and again at 10-10. However, Elon did not take the lead at any point in the final set, and the Seawolves closed on a 5-2 run to clinch the match. 

NOTES AND STATS

• Leah Daniel tied her season-high with 21 kills, as the senior reached 20 kills for the fourth time this season and the 17th time in her career. Elon's all-time leader in kills has reached double-digit kills 21 times this season, including in each of the last eight contests. She hit .340 for the match, marking the eighth time this season she has finished with a hitting percentage of .300 or better.  
• For the second straight day, Haylie Clark came one dig short of a double-double, as the senior racked up 36 assists and nine digs. She also added a career-high five aces, as well as six kills. The senior has now recorded double-digit assists in 79 straight matches and has at least 30 digs in 18 contests. 
• Senior Jenn Krzeminski tallied a team-high five blocks to go along with six kills. It was the seventh time this season she has posted at least five kills and blocks in the same match. 
• Alex VanWestrienen hit three aces in the opening set and finished with nine digs. The senior has multiple aces on eight occasions this season.  
• Jordan Gower and Sydney Daniels tied for a team-high 10 digs. It was the fifth time this season Daniels has reached double-digit digs. 
• Sydney Love delivered 11 kills, marking the 12th time she has registered double-digit kills this season. 
• Ericka Link posted double-digit assists for the sixth time this season, as the junior finished with 11. 
• As a team, the Seawolves outpaced the Phoenix in kills (70-57), assists (67-49) and digs (83-63). 
• The Phoenix finishes its home slate with a 5-6 record. 
• The loss snapped Elon's six match conference winning streak, the longest for the team since joining the CAA in 2014. The loss is the team's first since it fell to College of Charleston on Oct. 22. 

UP NEXT
Elon will be the No. 5 seed in the CAA Tournament, which will be hosted by Towson on Nov. 17-19. The Phoenix will face No. 4 Northeastern in the quarterfinals on Nov. 17. The match will begin at approximately 1:30 p.m.