RADFORD – The Elon University volleyball team saw its three-match win streak come to a close as the Phoenix suffered a 3-2 setback (27-29, 25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 11-15) at Radford on Saturday at Carilion Clinic Court at the Dedmon Center.
 
Elon (4-9) closed out its nonconference schedule with its first matchup against the Highlanders (4-11) since 2015. Clara Simmons set a career high with 20 kills on a .333 hitting percentage. Simrin Carlsen added 13 kills and 11 digs for her fifth double-double of the season. Kayla Palmer posted a career-best 25 assists while adding three service aces.
 
Radford had two players reach double figures in kills: Katrina Miller with 17 and Taryn Roberts with 15.
 
THE RUNDOWN

• Elon opened the match with a 6-3 lead in the first set and pushed it to 8-5 after a Radford attack error. The Highlanders tied the set at 9-9 and took the lead on a service ace, but Elon responded with a 7-1 run to go ahead 16-11. Radford answered with a 9-2 run to take a 20-17 lead, forcing a Phoenix timeout. The set was tied again at 22-22 before Elon reached set point at 24-23, but the Highlanders outlasted the Phoenix 29-27.
• Radford raced out to a 6-1 lead in the second set before Elon used a timeout to slow the momentum. A Catherine Rucker service ace cut the deficit to 10-8, but the Highlanders answered with a 7-2 run. Elon battled back from a 17-9 disadvantage with an 11-2 run to take a 20-19 lead, capped by a Palmer service ace. The Phoenix closed out the set 25-20 to even the match at 1-1.
• Elon took a 6-3 lead to start the third set before Radford trimmed it to 7-6. The Highlanders stayed close at 10-9, but a 4-2 Phoenix spurt gave Elon some breathing room. The Maroon and Gold extended its lead to 21-16 before Radford called timeout. The Highlanders scored two quick points, but Elon closed on a 4-2 run to win 25-20 and take a 2-1 match lead.
• In the fourth set, Elon went ahead 10-7 after a Carlsen kill, but Radford used a 5-2 run to take a 12-11 advantage. The teams traded points, tying four more times, including at 16-16 on another Carlsen kill. Radford broke the deadlock with a 4-1 run to lead 20-18 and extended its edge to 22-19. Elon closed within 22-21, but after a timeout, the Highlanders tallied the next two points and went on to win 25-23 to force a fifth set.
• Radford controlled the final set early with a 6-1 advantage. Elon rallied to cut it to 6-4 after a Palmer ace and tied the score at 7-7. The Highlanders retook the lead at 12-9, prompting an Elon timeout. The Phoenix pulled within one at 12-11, but Radford closed on a 3-0 run to take the set 15-11 and the match.

 
NOTES AND STATS

• Cameron Lanier had 10 kills, her eighth double-digit performance of the season, leading the team in that category.
• Radford improved its all-time series ledger to 16-8 over the Phoenix.
• April Rice added 22 assists in the match, her sixth game with at least 20 or more assists.
• Shannon O'Laughlin added 21 digs versus the Highlanders.

 
UP NEXT

• The Phoenix travels to Hofstra for a pair of CAA matches on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4-5.

 
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