Double-Doubles Lead to Elon Volleyball Sweep of Davidson

ELON, N.C. – After finding itself trailing in the first set, the Elon volleyball team pulled ahead and never looked back en route to a sweep of Davidson, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-19), tonight, Sept. 8, in Alumni Gym.

The Phoenix (2-6) saw three players record double-doubles on the night. Sydney Busa posted a match-high 11 kills and finished with 11 digs. Megan Gravley recorded 10 kills and 11 digs to go along with three aces, while Sydel Curry earned 29 assists and 13 digs.

On defense, Ally Karle recorded a new career-high 10 blocks to average an impressive 3.3 blocks per set as Elon out-blocked Davidson, 13-6. Maddie Jaudon posted a new three-set career high with 14 digs in the match.

“Serving and blocking were key for us tonight,” said Elon head coach Mary Tendler. “We didn’t have a lot of aces, but we kept them out of system and we were able to defend a little easier. This is a good win for us going into our next road trip.”

For the Wildcats (3-4), Mason Rooney led the team with seven kills, while Morgan Shannon had a match-high 17 digs.

How it happened: In the first set, Elon found itself down by five, 15-10, before a Karle kill sparked a 9-0 run to take a 19-15 advantage. The Wildcats pulled back within two, 20-18, but kills by Kam Terry and Catherine Head helped close out the set for a 25-22 win.

With the maroon and gold leading by only one in the second set, 10-9, Elon put together an 8-1 run that included an ace by Curry and kills by Gravley and Busa to move ahead by eight, 18-10. The Phoenix would maintain its advantage to take a 2-0 lead into the break after winning 25-19.

The Phoenix led the third set by as much six before the Wildcats closed the gap to two, 16-14, forcing an Elon timeout. After the timeout, the maroon and gold used kills by Busa, Gravley and Karle to score five of the next six points and move back to a six-point lead, 21-15. An ace by Gravley sealed the set, 25-19, and the sweep for Elon.

Notes: Elon has out-blocked its opponent in the last five straight matches…The Phoenix is out-blocking opponents 74-48…Gravley has now recorded double-digit kill performances in each of the last seven matches…This marked the first time this season Elon has had three players tally double-doubles in one match…It was the second double-double of the season for each Busa, Curry and Gravley…The all-time series between Elon and Davidson is now even, 11-all.

Up next: Elon heads to the Midwest for the Popcorn Classic in Valparaiso, Ind., this weekend. The Phoenix will face Loyola, Valpo, Kennesaw State and Savannah State in the tournament on Sept. 11-12, beginning with a match against Loyola on Friday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m.