The Elon University volleyball team defeated the College of William & Mary 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-20) Wednesday. The victory marks Elon's second in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play, both against the Tribe. 

"[I'm] really proud of our girls for not cashing in that third set and just saying, 'Let's go to a fourth [set],'" said head coach Mary Tendler. "They kept going one point at a time, and the deficit kept getting closer and closer, and we started putting more pressure on them."

The teams were evenly matched at the start of the first set. A pair of kills from sophomore setter Sydel Curry and sophomore outside hitter Sydney Busa gave the Phoenix a 12-8 lead, forcing the Tribe to call timeout. But the Tribe fought back, climbing back from a 19-10 deficit by going on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to one. Although the set stayed close to the end, Elon emerged victorious, 25-22.

"We came in really knowing that we were capable of beating them, and so that fire was in us," said freshman outside hitter Kam Terry, who led the Phoenix with 12 kills. "We just went out and were like, 'Let's get it done.'"

The Phoenix started strong in the second set, jumping out to a quick 8-3 lead. The Phoenix stayed on top for the rest of the set, and a service ace by freshman defensive specialist Maddie Jaudon put Elon ahead by eight, 17-9. The Phoenix did not trail in the set and won, 25-16. 

William & Mary took an early lead in the third set, 7-3. The Tribe continued to build its lead, holding a 11-5 advantage before the Phoenix called timeout. Elon kept the set close, pulling within three from a Busa kill. The set remained even, with the teams battling back and forth for the lead. Elon established a two point lead, 21-19, on a kill from junior outside hitter Kayla Agae. The Phoenix stayed ahead from there to win the final set, 25-20, and complete the sweep. 

"Our offense started to light it up," said senior middle blocker Catherine Head of the third set. "The little things on our side weren't going right, and once we got one thing to turn around, it was a building block back up."

Busa finished with nine kills and 11 digs, while Curry tallied 30 assists, eight digs and three kills. Elon outscored William & Mary in the match, 51-36. 

The victory gives the Phoenix an overall record of 6-19 with a 2-9 record in CAA play. William & Mary falls to 8-16 overall with a 2-9 CAA record. Elon's next match is at 7 p.m. Oct. 31, when the Phoenix travels to Newark, Delaware, to take on the University of Delaware Blue Hens.