The Elon University volleyball team lost to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-21) Saturday in a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) affair. The loss marks Elon's last away game of the season. The Phoenix previously fell to the Seahawks 3-0 Oct. 11 in Alumni Gym.
UNCW jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first set. Elon's first two points in the set came from attack and service errors by the Seahawks. The Phoenix could not find a response for the offense of the Seahawks in the first set, who never trailed before securing a 25-19 victory.
Elon's offense continued to suffer in the second set as UNCW took an 8-3 lead early. The Phoenix found a small offensive spark with back-to-back kills from junior outside hitter Ebony Scott and sophomore middle blocker Michelle Klein to cut the deficit to three, 14-11. But the Seahawks dominated the rest of the set, cruising to 25-13.
The Phoenix offense improved in the third set. A kill by freshman outside hitter Erin Kelly tied the set 9-9, and Elon established a 14-12 lead with a kill from Scott. UNCW responded with a 13-7 run to win the set, 25-21, and complete the sweep.
Scott and Klein led the Phoenix offensively with nine kills each. Freshman defensive specialist Maddie Jaudon finished with 10 digs, and sophomore setter Sydel Curry led Elon with 27 assists in the match.
The defeat puts Elon at 6-22 overall this season, with a 2-12 record in CAA play. UNCW improves to 20-6 overall with an 11-3 CAA record. Elon's next match comes at 7 p.m. Nov. 11, when the Phoenix hosts Hofstra University.