DAVIDSON – The Elon University volleyball team fell to Davidson 3-0 (22-25, 22-25, 13-25) in its opening match at the Wildcat Classic on Friday at John M. Belk Arena.
 
Elon's Cameron Lanier led the Phoenix (0-4) with 11 kills and added seven digs. Catherine Rucker tallied five kills, while Kyla Johnson recorded four kills and six blocks. Kayla Palmer notched a double-double with 14 assists and 11 digs, tying Shannon O'Laughlin for the team high in digs.
 
Davidson (3-1) used a balanced attack, as five Wildcats posted at least six kills.
 
THE RUNDOWN

• The opening set featured several swings in momentum. Elon jumped out to a 3-1 lead on back-to-back Davidson attack errors and rallied to tie the frame at 12-12 behind kills from Clara Simmons and Lanier. Davidson surged ahead 18-13, but the Phoenix clawed back to even the score at 20-20. The Wildcats capitalized late, however, using a service ace and a kill to close out the 25-22 win.
• Davidson controlled the early stages of the second set with a 9-3 advantage, but Elon rallied to pull within 15-13. After the Wildcats went up 17-14, the Phoenix answered with a 4-1 run to tie the frame at 18-all following a Johnson kill and a Davidson attack error. Elon tied the set again at 22-22, but Davidson scored the final three points to take a 2-0 lead.
• The Wildcats dominated the final set, building a 12-4 cushion early. Elon cut the deficit to 14-8 on a kill by Simrin Carlsen, but Davidson closed on an 11-5 run to seal the 25-13 victory and the sweep.

NOTES & STATS

• Palmer added the fourth double-double of her career as the sophomore earned her first start of the season. Rucker also appeared in the opening lineup for the Phoenix for the first time this season.
• Lanier had a .333 hitting percentage in the match while Rucker paced the squad with a .400 hitting percentage.
• Thanks to Johnson, Elon out block the Wildcats, 9-8.

 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix continues its play at the Wildcat Classic tomorrow, Sept. 6, with a doubleheader versus Coastal Carolina at 10 a.m. and versus Delaware State at 3:30 p.m.
 
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