Elon Phoenix Falls in 3-1 Final at JMU

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Elon volleyball team claimed the first set but was not able to hold off James Madison, falling 3-1 (26-24, 18-25, 25-27, 22-25) today, Oct. 22, on the road in Sinclair Gym.

BOX SCORE

Ebony Scott led the Phoenix (15-10, 2-7) with 20 kills off 36 attempts and only five errors to hit .417. Kam Terry tallied 13 kills followed by Sydney Busa with another 10. Sydel Curry posted her third straight double-double and 10th of the season after 45 assists and 10 digs, while Maddie Jaudon finished with 14 digs.

The Dukes (13-10, 5-5) saw 21 kills from Janey Goodman and 11 kills from Briley Brind’Amour. Tible Yaglioglu tallied a team-high 30 assists, while Taylor Austin posted a match-high 30 digs.

How it happened
JMU moved out to a 10-6 advantage in the first set before kills by Michelle Klein and Terry helped the Phoenix to an 8-3 run to move in front, 14-13. The score saw four ties as the Dukes grabbed a 21-19 edge. Kills by Busa and Terry evened the set, 21-all, and forced JMU to call its second timeout. A kill by Terry gave the Phoenix set point, 24-23, as a kill by Allu Karle helped the maroon and gold finish out the set, 26-24.

With the Dukes leading by four, 8-4, in the second set, Elon used a 4-1 run off kills by Busa, Terry, and Scott and a block by Busa and Elizabeth Coil to close the gap to one, 9-8. The Phoenix remained within three, 19-16, after kills by Scott and Terry, but JMU went on to win, 25-18, and even the match.

Kills by Busa and Scott and an Kayle Agae ace gave Elon a 5-4 edge in the third set. Scott’s strong hitting kept the maroon and gold in front, 14-13, as the set became even, 18-all. The Dukes claimed the advantage by three, 21-18, before two more Scott kills put the Phoenix back within one, 22-21. JMU took set point, 24-22, before an Agae ace helped Elon to set point, 25-24. The Dukes answered and claimed the final three points for a 27-25 final.

After a Busa kill evened the fourth set, eight-all, a block by Curry and Karle gave the maroon and gold a 10-9 lead. JMU responded with six straight to move in front by five, 15-10. Four kills by Scott and two by Busa cut the deficit to two, 19-17, before another kill from Scott pulled Elon within one, 22-21. A kill by Terry kept the Phoenix one point away, 23-22, but the Dukes reached set point and went on to take the set, 25-23, and the match.

Up Next
The Phoenix remains in the state of Virginia for its next match on Monday, Oct. 25, at William & Mary. The first serve is set for 7 p.m. in Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, Va.