ELON, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team fell in five sets against UNCW on Sunday.
Elon 2, UNCW 3 (25-14, 25-18, 32-34, 18-25, 12-15)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Elon took a quick lead in the opening set, leading by as many as eight before UNCW stormed back going on a 5-0 run to get within three at 12-9. The Phoenix responded by winning eight of the next 11 points. Elon led the rest of the frame and a kill by Lily Barker secured a 25-14 victory.
- The Phoenix kept the momentum going into the second, going up 16-7. UNCW chipped away at its deficit throughout the set, but a late 5-0 run scoring spurt gave the Phoenix the lead it needed the rest of the way. From there, three consecutive errors from the Seahawks helped the Phoenix close out a 25-18 win.
- For the third straight set, Elon took the early lead going ahead 7-4. However, UNCW again responded and tied the set at nine all. It was a battle to the finish following that included 18 tie scores and three lead changes. With the score 32-32, the Seahawks tallied back-to-back kills to close out the third set 34-32.
- Tied at 15-15, the Seahawks won five of the next six points to go ahead 20-16. UNCW never looked back, going on a 5-0 run to win the fourth set 25-18.
- Early in the fifth the teams were tied at 5-5. A kill from Clara LaRue and a Seahawks attacking error but Elon up 7-5. Just like in the fourth set, with the score tied 10-10, the Seahawks won the next four points to go up 14-11. A service ace by Abigail Sparkman would add Elon's last point and UNCW clinched the match 15-12.
NOTES AND STATS
- Keira Kasten delivered a career-high 16 kills and nine digs. Lindsey Harris followed with a career-high 10 kills. Cameron Lanier also added 10 kills for the Phoenix.
- Freshman Jessica Parker tied her career-best assists with 31 and broke her career-best in aces with five. Ericka Link notched a season-best 19 assists.
- Senior Jordan Gower was two digs shy of her season-best, recording 20 on the match. Caroline Doyle followed with a season-best 11 digs.
- Kyla Johnson again led the team in blocks with 5, followed by Lanier with three and Sydney Love with two.
- As a team, the Phoenix outpaced the Seahawks in aces (11-3).
FROM COACH TENDLER
"We responded well to the loss yesterday and came out very strong today. Our serves were very effective from the start and our confidence level was high. UNCW got hot at the end of the third set, and we struggled to gain the momentum back."
UP NEXT
Elon will host Northeastern for Alumni Weekend next Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's match is scheduled for 7 p.m. followed by Sunday's match at 2 p.m.
Gallery: (9-24-2023) Elon vs. UNCW (Spencer)
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