UNCG-Elon Box Score

Greensboro, NC - Senior Kim Dayton posted a team-best nine kills and eight digs, but it was not enough as the UNC Greensboro volleyball team fell to Elon, 3-0 (30-19, 30-23, 30-24), Tuesday night in Fleming Gym.

The Spartans (7-18, 3-10) opened the match slowly, falling behind the Phoenix 10-1 in game one after a kill from Brooke Pickard. UNCG bounced back to cut the lead to seven, 12-5, following a LaJean Morrow putaway. With the Elon offense somewhat stalled the Spartans continued to chip away at the lead closing the gap to five, 15-10, on an assisted block by Adrian Hicks and Lauren Richards. Elon (13-14, 6-6), however managed to push the lead back to ten, 29-19, before Pickard closed the game with a kill.

In game two, UNCG pushed the tempo early pulling out to a 5-3 lead behind the stellar play of Richards and Abbi Meyer. Elon rallied to take the lead, 6-5, on a Kristi Tunila kill before pushing their advantage to 14-10. The Spartans, however, battled back to within one point, 15-14, after an ace by Morrow. The Phoenix though managed to hang on to take the game, 30-23.

The two teams then matched each other point-for-point with Elon taking the early advantage in game three, 13-8, following a kill from Emily Hayes. Trailing 23-14, the Spartans went on a tremendous 5-1 run to close the gap, highlighted by two kills apiece from Hilary Overby and Dayton plus a Richards solo block. A Tunila kill quieted the Spartan run at 25-19 and the Phoenix closed the match on a 5-1 run of their own.

Overby posted eight kills for the Spartans to go along with three digs. Richards chipped in with four kills, three blocks, two digs and two service aces. Stephanie Elbe paced the Spartan attach with 17 assists.

Pickard and Hayes led the Elon offense with 16 and 15 kills, respectively. Mary Kate Spear had nine digs on defense and Kate Hart recorded 42 assists.

UNCG will return to action on Thursday, as the Spartans visit Liberty at 7 pm.