Senior outside hitter Leah Daniel made history in Elon University volleyball’s Oct. 15 match against Towson University, as she recorded 16 kills against the Tigers to become Elon all-time kills leader. With her efforts today, she surpassed the previous record of 1,461 career kills — previously held by Velma Degree.
Daniel was overjoyed after breaking the record, earning immense support from the vocal crowd at Schar Center.
“To be honest, I did not really know I broke the record until I looked up the scoreboard and saw everyone reacting,” Daniel said.
Among the crowd were Daniel’s parents and her younger brother, cheering her on from the stands. Once the record was broken, she was greeted jously by her teammates on the sidelines and was given an enormous hug from head coach Mary Tendler.
“She’s just amazing,” Tendler said. “I am so blessed to be able to watch her from the time she got here until now. She’s grown so much, she’s worked really hard and improved as a player. She’s so very deserving of this honor.”
Daniel said going into the game she was not focused on the record, but rather focused on the matchup between the Phoenix and the Tigers.
“I was just trying to go out there and play the best that I could, and hopefully the numbers would come,” Daniel said.
And come they did, as Daniel currently stands at 1,468 kills and multiple games still ahead of her final season at the university.
This game was also special as it was the annual Dig Pink game at the university. Schar Center was decorated in pink ribbons and balloons as the Phoenix raised awareness for breast cancer.
“All of us are female athletes and we all know the struggles that we go through in different parts of our lives,” Daniel said. “I think it means something to every single person in this gym on both sides of the net, or just any female in general.”
Prior to the start of the game, both victims and survivors of breast cancer were honored in a moment of silence.
“It hits you that there's so many people battling this awful disease, but are fighting it and can win their battle with breast cancer,” Tendler said. “It’s very motivating, and you definitely want to honor those people.”
Towson entered the match as one of two undefeated teams in the country and had the nation’s longest active winning streak at 18 matches. The Tigers also came from two sets down to defeat Elon in last year’s Colonial Athletic Association championship match.
The Phoenix jumped out early on the Tigers, becoming one of five teams to beat Towson in a set this year, taking the first set 25-21.
“It was such a great match and both teams battled it out,” said Tendler. “A lot of really good defense on both sides.”
Once started, Elon’s momentum continued as the Phoenix took the second set by the same margin.
But the Tigers bounced back, tying the game at two sets a piece. After obtaining the early 10-5 lead in the fifth set, the Phoenix stayed on top. With a final score of 16-14, Elon defeated Towson 3-2 and handed the Tigers their first loss of the season.
“They pushed back and we started the fifth really good. Towson got closer and closer but we hung in there and battled and found a way to win,” Tendler said. “I’m proud of them for staying confident throughout the match.”
The Phoenix and the Tigers will be back for another game at 2 p.m. Oct. 16 at Schar Center.