ELON, N.C. — Leah Daniel recorded 16 kills, Sydney Daniels notched a career-high 28 digs and the Elon volleyball team rode its most blocks in three years to a 3-1 win (25-20, 19-25, 25-22, 25-19) over UNCG in the final match of the Phoenix/Aggie Volley for Unity Tournament on Saturday.
 
With the victory, Elon improved to 2-7. The Spartans fell to 6-4.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The first set went back and forth, featuring six ties and three lead changes. With the Phoenix up 21-17, UNCG tried to rally, taking two straight points to pull within two. A kill by Daniel, however, sparked a 4-1 Elon run to complete the set — which featured seven blocks by the Phoenix and five kills by Sydney Love.
• Looking to rebound, the Spartans jumped out to a 15-5 lead in the second set. Elon finished the set strong, pulling withing six late, but it couldn't get any closer as UNCG ultimately evened the match at one set apiece.
• Much like the first set, neither team gained much breathing room early in the third. But after dropping three straight points to fall behind 20-17, the Phoenix responded with an impressive 8-2 run to secure the set and take a 2-1 lead.
• Up 6-5 in the fourth and final set, Elon put its foot on the gas and won seven of the next eight points to seize a commanding 13-6 lead. The Phoenix's lead eventually grew to as large as nine, and although the Spartans put together a late run, they couldn't catch up and Elon ultimately came away with its first home win of the season.

NOTES

• With her 16 kills, Daniel passed Kam Terry (2015-18) for the sixth most in program history with 1,352. Sydney Busa (2014-17) is next on the list with 1,361.
• Daniels' 28 digs bested her previous career high of 22, set in Friday's match against Florida A&M.
• Elon's 16 blocks marked its most since registering 16 against Davidson on Sept. 7, 2019.
• Lindsey Harris and Jenn Krzeminski each posted seven total blocks. For Harris, a freshman, that total marked a career high. It was Krzeminski's highest since tallying seven against Hofstra on Nov. 5, 2021.
• Haylie Clark recorded her fifth straight double-double with 35 assists and 10 digs.
• Caroline Doyle's three aces marked a career high. She'd previously never tallied more than one.

FROM HEAD COACH MARY TENDLER
 
"It felt really good to get our first win in Schar Center. We got off to a good start in the first set and finished strong in the fourth. Our block was a huge factor for us; our middles were working really hard to get touches. This win gives us good momentum going into CAA play next weekend."

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
 
Elon
Leah Daniel
Sydney Love
 
UNCG
Taylor Robertson
Ella Voegele
 
North Carolina A&T
Naiya Sawtelle
Hannah Howell
 
Florida A&M
Dominique Washington
Aja Jones
 
NC Central
Loren Johnson
Vanila Pulu-Suliafu
 
UP NEXT

• Elon will kick off conference play next weekend, when it travels to CAA newcomer North Carolina A&T. The Phoenix and Aggies will play at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18, in Greensboro, N.C.