Elon Volleyball Phoenix Closes Out Home Stretch Against Cougars

ELON, N.C. – The Elon volleyball team closed out a stretch of three home matches in four days today, Oct. 19, against College of Charleston. The Cougars (14-9, 6-2 CAA) claimed a 3-0 (20-25, 26-28, 21-25) win over the Phoenix (5-19, 0-8 CAA) in Alumni Gym.

“We started out tonight a little too passive defensively but picked it up as the match went along,” said Elon head coach Mary Tendler. “We didn’t have a huge amount of unforced errors but some of them were at crucial times in the match. We have now seen every team in the CAA and we look forward to playing them all again starting next weekend at Northeastern and Hofstra.”

Elon saw strong offensive performances from both Kris Harris and Ally Karle. Harris hit .583 after seven kills off 12 attempts and no errors, while Karle led the Phoenix with 11 kills off 19 attempts and only three errors to hit .421. On defense, Catherine Head posted four blocks, including one solo, along with Harris who also tallied four blocks.

With the first set tied at three-all after a Karle kill, the Cougars claimed the next four points to lead, 7-3. After a kill by Sydel Curry kept the Phoenix deficit within four points, 13-9, CofC extended its advantage to six, 18-12. Another Karle kill would hold the Cougars at set point briefly, however, CofC went on to claim a 25-20 victory.

In the second set, Elon used a 6-1 run with the help of kills by Head, a block by Head and Curry and an ace by Megan Gravley to move ahead by five, 12-7, forcing a CofC timeout. The Phoenix led by as much as seven, 19-12, before the Cougars rallied to even the set at 19-all. The maroon and gold reached set point twice before the set became tied again at 26-all. CofC closed out the set with the last two points to win, 28-26, and take a 2-0 match lead.

With the Cougars leading by seven in the third set, 14-7, the Phoenix cut the deficit to three, 14-11, after a 4-0 run with the help of kills by Karle and Head. Elon then closed the gap to one, 15-14, after two kills by both Harris and Karle. The maroon and gold would keep it close, 19-17, but CofC was able to maintain its advantage and win 25-21.

Next weekend, Elon makes the return trip to play at Northeastern and Hofstra. The Phoenix plays the Huskies in Boston on Friday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. before taking on the Pride on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. in Hempstead, N.Y.