Looking to avenge a three-set shutout earlier this year on the road, the Elon University women's volleyball team hosted the Hofstra University Pride on Friday night.
The Phoenix were happy to return to the comfort of their home court, where they are 9-3 this year, trying to stop a four-game losing streak. Elon sent the crowd home happy, winning a thrilling five-set match (25-20, 25-23, 18-25, 17-25, 15-12) on Homecoming Weekend.
Elon was able to take the first set 25-20 behind junior outside hitter Kam Terry’s six kills. Senior outside hitter Sydney Busa added five of her own and freshman setter Kodi Garcia chipped in with 16 assists.
“Today at the beginning was probably the best that we’ve come out in a match in a really long time” Terry said of the team’s start. “But I think we let it get to us a little bit and we eased up in the middle.”
An invigorating back and forth second set followed as Elon took a two-set lead into the break. The Phoenix were able to battle back from an early five point deficit, seeing the Phoenix score six of the last eight points to take the set 25-23.
Elon came out slow after the break, dropping the third and fourth sets 18-25 and 17-25, respectively, to even the match up.
“Everyone just has kind of found that fire at the end, ” Terry said. “We were ready to push it through and get that win”.
The decisive fifth set saw Elon dominate in the early stages, building a five point lead at one time. But Hofstra kept it close, giving the Phoenix fits the entire way tying the set at 10. But the Phoenix held on to win the set and the match with a fifth set score of 15-12.
Elon Volleyball follows this game up with Senior Day on Sunday at 2 p.m. as they face the Northeastern University Huskies, the last scheduled game in Alumni Gym for the Elon volleyball program.