The Elon University volleyball team rolled Campbell University 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-17) in its first home game of the year.
Led by junior outside hitters Chanelle and Danielle Smith, the two combined for 16 points, including eight in the third set, to help the Phoenix reach 2-2 to start the season.
Trailing 16-15 in the first set, a kill by senior hitter Cali Estes sparked a 10-3 Phoenix run to close out the first set. After that, Elon cruised in the next two sets, assisted by 16 attack errors from Campbell and a raucous Alumni Gym.
Sophomore outside hitter Megan Gravley added 10 kills and had a 0.5 hitting percentage. Freshman middle blocker Ally Karle led the team with five blocks and added two kills. Estes had eight kills and 17 assists. Senior defensive specialist Maggie Reichard had 15 digs, which led the Phoenix.
For Campbell, junior outside hitter Jessica Groen had eight kills and one service ace. Sophomore defensive specialist Mary Crema led the Fighting Camels with 13 digs. Senior right side hitter Heather Wilson had 20 assists in the game.
In the first set, junior middle blocker Kris Harris scored on an assist by Estes to give Elon a 9-7 advantage. Harris would get another kill later on, this time assisted by sophomore setter Ana Nicksic, to extend the Phoenix lead to 18-16. A block by Danielle Smith and Karle ended the set with a score of 25-20.
Elon lead Campbell 12-7 in the second set after an error by sophomore outside hitter Alexis Hein, which led Campbell to take a timeout. A kill by Estes gave the Phoenix a 19-11 advantage, but Campbell went on a 5-1 run to get within five points of the Phoenix. A kill by Gravley from Estes put Elon up 21-16 and the Fighting Camels scored just three more points in the set.
The Phoenix got off to a hot start in the final set, scoring six straight points after trailing 3-2. The lead ballooned to a 21-10 advantage until three errors by Elon helped Campbell go on a 5-0 run. A kill by Danielle Smith stopped the run and help the Phoenix cruise to a 3-0 win.
Next up, Elon is scheduled to play the University of Central Florida at 1 p.m. Friday Sept. 6 as part of the Holiday Inn Select/UCF Classic in Orlando, Fla. The Phoenix will also take on Stephen F. Austin late Friday at 6 p.m.