CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Elon University volleyball team lost to College of Charleston on Sunday, as the Cougars defeated the Phoenix in a tight matchup 3-2 at TD Arena.
Elon 2, College of Charleston 3 (25-18, 18-25, 25-22, 19-25, 12-15)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Phoenix came out to a strong 11-5 lead early in the first set. College of Charleston would win five of the next six points to get within two at 12-10. Elon then went on an 8-5 run to stretch their lead to five at 20-15. From there, Caroline Berlekamp would bring strong energy to the team, delivering two kills and a block assist with Sydney Love to go up 24-17. A kill from Love would close the set 25-18 in favor of the Phoenix.
- The Cougars came out with strong energy in the second set, going ahead 8-3 early in the frame. The Phoenix would respond and get within one at 8-7 thanks to three kills from Keira Kasten and a Cougar error. College of Charleston would reel off three straight points to go up 11-7 before Elon responded by scoring six of the next eight points. Ahead 14-13, the Cougars would go on a 11-5 run to take the second set 25-18.
- Elon came out hot in the third set gaining a quick 10-5 lead. The Cougars would fight back and eventually tie the score at 17-17. A Cougar error and an Ericka Link ace would give the Phoenix a lead they would keep the rest of the way. With the score 20-18, Jordan Gower tallied her 15th dig of the match keeping the play alive to add a LaRue block later in the point to give the maroon and gold a three-point lead. Elon would win four of the next eight points to win the third set 25-22.
- It was a back-and-forth battle to begin the fourth set. With the teams tied 7-7, College of Charleston would win six of the next seven points to pull ahead 13-8. Elon would get within two at 13-11 thanks to a Cougar service error, a service ace from Link and a kill by Kasten. From there, the Phoenix would win four of the next five points to take the lead 15-14. The Cougars quickly went on an 8-4 run to gain a 23-18 lead that would carry them on to win the fourth set 25-19.
- Elon was able to control the first half of the final set taking the lead 8-5. The Cougars won seven of the next 11 points to tie the frame at 12-12. College of Charleston won three straight points to win the set and match 15-12.
NOTES
- Sydney Love led the team with a season-high 18 kills. Keira Kasten followed with 10 and Lindsey Harris was one shy of her career-high with nine.
- Jessica Parker paced the team with 26 assists, her fourth straight match with 20-plus assists. Ericka Link added 19 assists.
- Caroline Doyle, Link and Parker all had a team-high three aces. This was a season-high aces for Link.
- Caroline Berlekamp tied her career-high in blocks with six while Harris added five and Parker with a career-high three.
- Jordan Gower continued to lead the teams in digs with 25 followed by Parker with 12 and Shannon O'Laughlin with 10.
- As a team, the Phoenix outpaced the Cougars in aces (12-6) and blocks (11-10).
FROM COACH TENDLER
"The players gave great effort today and they were totally engaged from start to finish. It is hard not to get the reward for the work that is being put in, but I know we will continue to battle every time we step on the court."
UP NEXT
Elon hosts Hampton next weekend in another home CAA series. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
--ELON--
