ELON, N.C. – Senior libero Caroline Doyle recorded a career-high 32 digs while freshman middle blocker Catherin Rucker posted a team-best and career-high six blocks in the Elon University volleyball team's five set loss to William & Mary on Saturday afternoon.
 
Elon 2, William & Mary 3 (18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 27-25, 7-15)
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• In set one, William & Mary led 6-4 before a 5-0 Phoenix run, fueled by three kills from Sydney Love, pushed Elon ahead 9-6. The Tribe bounced back, tying it at 10-10 and leading 15-12. After another Phoenix 4-0 run for a 16-15 edge, William & Mary closed the set with an 8-0 run to win 25-18.
• Elon jumped out to a 6-2 lead in set two and eventually held an 8-3 advantage. After trading points, the Phoenix used a 3-0 run to go up 15-8. The Tribe cut the lead to 18-14, but Elon pulled ahead 21-15. Despite a late 6-1 Tribe run to trail by one at 22-21, Elon won three straight points to claim set two 25-21.
• The teams traded points to start set three until Elon pulled ahead with a 4-1 run for an 8-7 lead. William & Mary countered with a 5-1 run, taking a 12-9 advantage. The teams continued to battle in set three, as Elon chipped away to tie the score at 16-16. It remained a tight contest, with neither side leading by more than two points until William & Mary closed the set with four consecutive points to win 25-22.
• The fourth set was a fierce back-and-forth battle as the teams traded points until midway through. A 5-0 run put Elon up 12-9, and they extended their lead to 17-13. William & Mary responded with four straight points to even the score at 17-17. The teams continued trading points, with the Tribe saving two set points to tie it at 24-24. Elon then saved match point at 25-24 and surged with three consecutive points to clinch the set 27-25, forcing a decisive fifth set.
• The Tribe quickly gained a 5-1 advantage and extended their lead to 8-2 at the side switch. The deficit was too much for the Phoenix as they fell 15-7 in set five.

NOTES 

• Clara LaRue and Ericka Link notched their second straight double-doubles, with LaRue posting 14 kills and 11 digs, and Link adding 25 assists and 10 digs.
• Sydney Love led the offense with 18 kills, contributing three blocks as well.
• Catherine Rucker added a career-high six blocks to lead the team with Kyla Johnson and Love following with three each.
• Link and Rucker led the team with two aces while Annabelle Schall added one.
• Caroline Doyle anchored the defense with a career-high 32 digs, averaging 6.4 digs per set.
• As a team, Elon outnumbered the Tribe in digs (86-79) and blocks (12-10).

UP NEXT 

• The maroon and gold return to Schar Center tomorrow for Senior Day. The match will begin at 2 p.m. with senior recognition taking place 15 minutes prior to match time.