Seahawks Claim Win Over Elon Phoenix Volleyball

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Elon volleyball team was not able to overcome a strong UNC Wilmington defense tonight, Nov. 5, as the Seahawks claimed a 3-0 (16-25, 19-25, 16-25) win over the Phoenix in Hanover Hall.

“UNCW played a great match at home tonight,” said Elon head coach Mary Tendler. “Our serve receive was not as good as it has been in recent matches, which made us easy to defend. I’m sure that will improve in our next match on Saturday.”

Kayla Agae led the Phoenix with 10 kills and also tallied seven digs. Morgan Maner tallied a match-high 10 digs, while Ana Nicksic and Sydel Curry recorded 14 and 10 assists, respectively.

In the first set, kills by Agae and Harris and an ace by Agae put the Phoenix up 4-1 early. With Elon leading 6-2, the Seahawks managed a 6-0 run to take the lead, 8-6. UNCW continued its momentum and moved ahead by five, 15-10, forcing Elon to take its second timeout. The Seahawks extended its advantage to six, 19-13, before back-to-back kills by Karle and Agae closed the gap to four. However, UNCW was able to hold on and moved ahead to win, 25-16.

After UNCW quickly took a 12-5 lead in the second set, Elon responded with a 4-0 run that included kills by D. Smith, Busa and C. Smith and a block by Busa and Karle to cut the deficit to three, 12-9. Kills by Karle, Agae, Busa and Harris continued the momentum for the Phoenix and gave the maroon and gold its first lead of the set, 16-15. Kills by Agae and an ace by Maner kept the Phoenix with a one-point advantage, 18-17, before the Seahawks managed to score four straight to move ahead, 21-18. UNCW then claimed four of the final five points to take the set, 25-19, and a 2-0 match lead.

A kill by Agae and two aces by Maner put the Phoenix up 4-3 early in the third set. The Seahawks answered and took the lead by three, 7-4, forcing an Elon timeout. UNCW was able to continue its run and lead by as much as 11, 22-11. A block by Harris and Agae and a kill by D. Smith put the Phoenix within in nine but the disadvantage was too much to overcome as the Seahawks went on to win, 25-16.

Elon plays again on Saturday, Nov. 8, at College of Charleston. The match is set for 5 p.m. in Charleston, S.C.