ELON – The Elon University volleyball team opened CAA play with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-16) sweep of Hampton on Friday at Schar Center.
 
Elon (2-8, 1-0 CAA) was led by graduate student Simrin Carlsen, who recorded a double-double with a team-high 12 kills and 10 digs. Cameron Lanier added 10 kills, while setters Kayla Palmer and April Rice dished out 19 assists apiece for the Phoenix.
 
Hampton (1-9, 0-1 CAA) was paced by Katerina Pappa and Racquel Frazier, who tied for the team lead with eight kills each. Elon held the Pirates to a .082 hitting percentage while hitting a season-high .385.
 
THE RUNDOWN

• The first set was tight early before Elon used a 3-0 run to build an 11-6 lead. Hampton trimmed the deficit to 14-11, but another Phoenix spurt forced a Pirates timeout. Elon kept control out of the break and closed the set 25-16.
• In set two, Hampton jumped ahead 6-5 before Elon answered with six straight points for an 11-6 lead. Clara Simmons delivered a pair of service aces during a later 6-0 run that pushed the margin to 17-8. Carlsen closed strong with three straight kills as Elon cruised to a 25-15 win.
• Elon opened the third set up 8-4 and extended the lead to 12-7 on a Lanier kill. A 7-1 run stretched the advantage to 22-12, and after Hampton pulled within four, the Phoenix sealed the sweep with three unanswered points for another 25-16 victory. 

NOTES AND STATS

• Carlsen's double-double was her fourth of the season and her first since Sept. 6 against Delaware State. The Edison, N.J., native also added a solo block.
• Simmons and Catherine Rucker each tallied two service aces, giving Elon four in the match.
• This marked Elon's first CAA-opening win since 2022 against North Carolina A&T and its first sweep ever to begin league play in the CAA.

UP NEXT

• Elon hosts Hampton in a rematch Saturday with first serve set for 2 p.m. at Schar Center.

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