KENNESAW, Ga. — Overcoming a first-set loss, the Elon University volleyball team rebounded for a 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 18-25, 15-7) victory against Kennesaw State University on Friday, Sept. 5 in the team's first game of the KSU Owls Invitational.
Elon was paced by twins and seniors Chanelle and Danielle Smith, playing 45 minutes away from their hometown of Fayetteville, Ga. Chanelle Smith had a team-high 12 kills and 17 digs, while Danielle Smith had nine kills and four blocks.
Freshman outside hitter Sydney Busa built on her impressive showing from last weekend, tallying 11 kills and 10 digs. Elon out-blocked Kennesaw State 11-5. Elon junior setter Ana Nicksic had 44 assists, and sophomore libero Morgan Maner had 11 digs.
Elon evens its record at 2-2 on the year, and will face No. 7 Purdue University at 10 a.m. Saturday and the University of North Carolina at Asheville at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
The Phoenix stayed close in the first set before Kennesaw State pulled ahead to a 21-15 lead. The Owls were at set point before Busa hammered down a kill and Danielle Smith and senior middle blocker Kris Harris posted a block to keep the set going.
It was similar down the stretch in the second, but Elon this time was up 24-20 when Kennesaw State rallied to make it 24-23. Chanelle Smith had the decisive kill to even the match.
The Smith sisters combined for five kills in a 7-1 stretch early on that broke the third set open. Kennesaw State reeled off six straight points late in the set, but kills from five different players kept Elon afloat.
The Owls went on an 11-4 run in a fourth set which it controlled much of.
Nicksic, Busa and Chanelle Smith helped Elon to a 6-2 lead in the fifth set. Kennesaw State made it 6-4 before the Phoenix scored seven straight points to take control.
Elon hit .169 (55 kills, 30 errors, 148 attempts), while Kennesaw State hit .122 (50 kills, 31 errors, 156 attempts.