Elon Volleyball Falls to UNCG, 3-1

ELON, N.C. – After falling behind, the Elon volleyball team fought back to even the match but was not able to overcome UNCG, dropping the match 3-1 (17-25, 25-21, 21-25, 21-25), tonight, Sept. 16, in Alumni Gym.

Sydney Busa tallied her fourth double-double of the season for the Phoenix (3-10) after 12 kills and 13 digs. Both Kayla Agae and Kam Terry finished with nine kills in the match, while Sydel Curry and Ana Nicksic recorded 32 and 12 assists, respectively.

On defense, Maddie Jaudon matched her career high and led all players with 26 digs to average 6.5 digs per set. Elon finished with seven total blocks with a team-high five blocks from Karle.

“We competed hard from start to finish and I am proud of the overall effort tonight,” said Elon head coach Mary Tendler. “We had some unforced errors that hurt us, but we still were able to put ourselves in a position to win those last three sets. We look forward to getting back on the practice court and preparing for our first conference matches.”

The Spartans (10-2) saw a match-high 16 kills from Ashley Muench and another 10 kills and 15 digs by Jessica Brezwyn. Allison Penner tallied 44 assists, while Katherine Santiago recorded 16 digs.

How it happened: The Phoenix grabbed as much as a five-point advantage in the first set, 12-7, before a 12-1 UNCG run put the Spartans ahead, 19-13. The maroon and gold was not able to overcome the deficit at UNCG claimed the first set, 25-17.

With the Spartans leading the second set by five, 9-4, back-to-back blocks by Elon, which both included Karle, spurred the Phoenix to take a 13-11 lead. UNCG evened the set at 15-all before three kills by Agae put the maroon and gold back up by three, 20-17. Kills by Terry, Scott and Karle kept the Phoenix in front and gave the team the 25-21 set win to even the match.

In the third set, the score was even at nine-all before kills by Busa and Agae and an ace by Terry helped the Phoenix to a 14-12 edge. The Spartans managed to tie the score again at 18-all and the set saw three more ties as it became 21-all. UNCG closed out the set with three straight points to take a 25-21 win and a 2-1 match advantage.

Elon opened up the fourth set with a 9-4 lead after kills by Karle and Busa. The Phoenix was forced to call a timeout after the Spartans responded to take a 17-15 advantage. With the set tied at 20-all, UNCG managed to claim five of the last six points to claim the set, 25-21, and the match.

Notes: UNCG has won two straight over the Phoenix and leads the series, 36-17…Megan Gravley tallied one kill in the match and is five shy of reaching the 1,000-career kill mark.

Up next: Elon has a break until it opens Colonial Athletic Association play on Friday, Sept. 25, in a 7 p.m. match at Northeastern in Boston.