ELON – The Elon University volleyball team rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force a decisive fifth set but fell to Northeastern 3-2 (27-29, 30-32, 26-24, 25-22, 5-15) in the opening match of its CAA series Saturday night at Schar Center.
 
The Phoenix's Clara Simmons set a career high with 21 kills to lead Elon (4-12, 2-3 CAA) offensively. Simrin Carlsen added 13 kills, while Cameron Lanier contributed 10 as the Phoenix recorded a season-best 64 kills.
 
Northeastern (6-8, 2-3 CAA) had four players reach double-digit kills. Brynn Smith tied Simmons with 21 for match-high honors, while Emma Rowell added 15. Svenja Rodenbuesch and Beatrice Gennari chipped in 12 and 10 kills, respectively.
 
THE RUNDOWN

• The opening set featured seven ties and several lead changes. Elon used a 4-1 spurt midway through to go up 18-16, but Northeastern responded to take a 20-17 lead. The Phoenix tied the frame at 20 and held set point three times before the Huskies rallied with a 3-0 run to close out the set 29-27.
• Set two was even tighter, featuring 19 ties and 11 lead changes. Elon surged ahead 21-19 following a 3-0 run, but Northeastern answered and tied the score at 21-all. The teams traded set-point opportunities before the Huskies prevailed 32-30.
• After the break, Elon's offense found its rhythm, hitting .324 in the third set as setter April Rice directed a balanced attack. The Phoenix led 21-17 before the Huskies answered with a 7-1 run to earn match point. Simmons then delivered four straight kills as Elon rallied for the 26-24 win to extend the match.
• Elon carried its momentum into the fourth, erasing an early 4-1 deficit and eventually pulling ahead 20-19 on a Lanier kill. The Phoenix closed the frame with a 4-1 run to win 25-22 and force a fifth set.
• Northeastern, however, regained control in the decider, racing out to a 10-3 lead and never looking back. After a Phoenix timeout, the Huskies extended their advantage to 13-3 before Simmons and Lanier each added a kill. Northeastern sealed the 15-5 victory on a Rodenbuesch kill.

 
NOTES AND STATS

• Simmons notched her second 20-kill match of the season and fifth double-digit effort overall. The Lewisville, North Carolina, native hit a season-best .415 and added a season-high 12 digs for her first double-double of the year.
• Casey Brower led Elon with 19 digs, while Carlsen added 18 for her sixth double-double this season.
• Rice finished with 31 assists, and Kayla Palmer tallied 21. Both setters recorded double-doubles - Rice with 13 digs and Palmer with 12.

 
UP NEXT

• The Phoenix hosts the Huskies in the series finale tomorrow, with first serve set for 3 p.m. at Schar Center.

 
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