ELON, N.C. – The Elon volleyball team used a 3-1 (25-20, 25-19, 22-25, 25-15) win against Gardner-Webb tonight, Sept. 10, to finish a perfect 4-0 in the Elon Phoenix Classic and win the tournament in Alumni Gym. The victory also extends the team’s current win streak to six, giving the Phoenix its best start to a season since beginning 11-0 in 2009.
Ebony Scott led the Phoenix (9-2) with 14 kills off 26 attempts and only one error to hit .500 followed by a double-double from Kayla Agae with 13 kills and 10 digs. Sydel Curry also claimed a double-double after 43 assists and 10 digs, while Kam Terry fell just shy of a double with nine kills and 16 digs.
The defense out-blocked GWU, 18-5, with the help of nine blocks from both Michelle Klein, marking a career high, and Ally Karle. Both Terry and Scott added another seven blocks each. It marked the highest block performance for the maroon and gold since playing at Hofstra on Sept. 27 of last year. Maddie Jaudon finished with a 25 digs to average 6.25 digs per set.
Scott, Klein and Curry were all named to the Elon Phoenix Classic All-Tournament team with Scott earning MVP honors.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs (6-3) saw a team-high eight kills from both Taylor Lillard and Tyra Long, while Amanda Sahm and Tinsley Fain finished with 19 and 11 assists, respectively. Emma Milstead tallied a match-high 27 digs and also earned a spot on the all-tournament team.
How it Happened
Kills by Agae, Scott and Terry put the Phoenix out to a 7-0 lead to start the first set. Elon extended the advantage to eight, 15-7, after a kill by Klein and maintained the lead, moving the score to 21-13. A kill by Scott closed out a 25-20 win for the maroon and gold.
With the second set tied at six-all, Elon used kills by Scott, Klein and Curry to claim five straight and move in front, 11-6. The Bulldogs responded with a 7-2 run and tied the set again at 13. With the set still even, 17-all, a kill by Karle sparked an 8-2 advantage for the Phoenix to finish with a 25-19 victory and a 2-0 match lead.
The third set remained tight, reaching 14-all, before GWU used a 7-1 run to take a 21-15 lead. Elon used a block by Scott and Klein and kills by Klein and Terry to pull within two, 23-21. But the Bulldogs were able to hold on and keep the match alive with a 25-22 win.
The Phoenix responded in the third set with a 13-4 advantage off blocks by Terry, Karle and Scott, kills from Agae, Terry, Scott and Curry and a Morgan Maner ace. GWU was able to close the gap to five, 16-11, forcing an Elon timeout before three straight for Elon made it a 19-11 lead. The Phoenix held on to the advantage and used a Scott kill to win the set, 25-15, the match and tournament.
Up Next
Elon plays its third straight road Tuesday match this week, Sept. 13, at North Carolina Central. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in Durham, N.C.