GREENSBORO, N.C. – From 9-2 down in the fourth set, the Elon University volleyball team rallied to complete a thrilling comeback, as the Phoenix won six of the final seven points to clinch a four-set victory against North Carolina A&T on Sept. 18.

The win was Elon's third straight and improved the team's record to 4-7 (2-0 CAA). The loss dropped NC A&T to 4-8 (0-2 CAA).

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elon's offense got off to a hot start, as the Phoenix delivered 15 kills in the first set. The Phoenix led by as many as six in the opening frame but NC A&T trimmed Elon's advantage down to three late. Up 17-14, Elon won eight of the next 11 points, including a kill by Sydney Love that clinched a 25-17 victory.
• Neither team led by more than two points in the early stages of the second set. Down 10-9, Elon won nine of the next 12 points to take a six-point lead. Ahead 18-12, Elon registered five kills to help close out a 25-20 second set win.
• The Aggies raced out to a commanding 12-4 lead in the third stanza. Despite a rally by Elon that saw the maroon and gold trim the lead to as few as four late in the set, NC A&T won the final two points to win it 25-19 and force a fourth.
• For the second straight set, NC A&T got off to a fast start in the fourth, taking an early 9-2 lead. Led by five Leah Daniel kills, the Phoenix rallied to tie the set for the first time at 23-23. Elon then saved a set point on another Daniel kill before winning the final two points to complete the comeback and secure a four-set win.

NOTES

• Leah Daniel had a team-high 17 kills, including seven in the final set.
• With her 17 kills, Daniel now has 1,382 in her career. She moved past Debbie Hall (1,366 kills) and Katie Ruoff (1,369 kills) and into third in program history (second in the program's Division I history). She now trails only Velma Degree (1,461 kills) and the current Division I era leader, Emily Hayes (1,450 kills)
• Freshman Clara LaRue delivered career-highs with 10 kills and 11.5 points. She added a career-best 2.0 blocks.
• Haylie Clark finished with 40 assists for her third 40-assist performance of the season. Clark finished the weekend with 81 assists in nine sets against the Aggies. She also added 10 digs for her seventh double-double this year.
• For the second straight match, Jordan Gower had four aces to lead the Phoenix. She also paced the team with 12 digs.
• Elon posted a season-best hitting percentage (.283).
• After registering a season-high 23.0 total blocks yesterday against the Aggies, the Phoenix tallied 18.0 total blocks today. Lily Emlong, Jenn Krzeminski and Sydney Love all had 4.0 to lead the way for Elon.

FROM HEAD COACH MARY TENDLER
"Our players did a good job of making some changes from yesterday and it paid off, especially at the beginning of the match. I'm proud of this team for staying mentally focused in the fourth to make a huge comeback and get the win."

UP NEXT

• The Phoenix returns to Schar Center for its first home CAA series against William & Mary Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25. First serve in both matches is scheduled for 2 p.m.