Paladins Take 3-1 Win Over Elon Volleyball

GREENVILLE, S.C. – After winning the first set, the Elon volleyball team was not able to hold on as the Phoenix fell to Furman, 3-1 (25-22, 16-25, 16-25, 19-25), tonight, Nov. 9.

“Furman didn’t make many errors, which put a lot of pressure on our side,” said Elon head coach Mary Tendler. “I thought we handled it very well and fought hard for every point. It was a great match, I was very proud of our players for how well they competed.”

Freshman Ally Karle bested the career-high she set last night by recording a new high of 18 kills. Karle also led the team on defense with five blocks. Senior Cali Estes posted a double-doubles with 10 kills and 14 assists.

Megan Gravley carded Elon’s first three points with kills to keep the first set even at three-all. Kills by Karle and Head gave the Phoenix a slight two-point edge, 8-6. The Paladins tied the score at 10-all and claimed a 14-11 lead, forcing an Elon timeout. Trailing by two, 16-14, three straight kills by Kayla Agae and an ace by Ana Nicksic helped Elon to a 4-0 run and an 18-16 advantage. With the set tied at 20-all, Karle tallied five kills to close out the set on a 5-2 run for a 25-22 win for the Phoenix.

The maroon and gold took a 3-1 lead in the second set off two kills by Estes and a block by Catherine Head and Estes. With the set tied at seven-all, Furman managed to put together a 10-4 run to go up by six, 17-11. The Paladins were able to keep its advantage and even the match after claiming the set, 25-16.

After Furman took a 4-1 lead in the third set, the Phoenix responded with kills by Chanelle Smith and Karle and an ace by Maggie Reichard to close the gap to one, 5-4. Elon kept it close until the Paladins pulled away with a seven-point edge, 17-10. The maroon and gold scored three straight with the help of kills by Karle and C. Smith to close the gap to four, 17-13. However, it was not enough as Furman claimed the set by another final of 25-16.

In the fourth set, Elon jumped out to a 10-4 advantage with the help of two kills by both Karle and Gravley. The Paladins evened the score at 12-all, but a block by Karle and C. Smith and a kill by Gravley got the Phoenix back up by three, 16-13. Furman managed to close out the set on a 12-3 run to win the set, 25-19, and take a 3-1 match win.

Elon returns home for its final two home matches of the season with the first coming on Wednesday, Nov. 13, as the Phoenix hosts UNCG in Alumni Gym at 7 p.m.