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Elon University volleyball team won a tough fight to win against the Delaware Blue Hens on September 25, rallying from behind in the fifth set to avoid a potential collapse.
After winning the first two sets, Elon looked set to secure his third consecutive Colonial Athletic Association victory. However, Delaware hit back to force the game into a decisive fifth set.
Entering the fifth set, Delaware had all the momentum and was ready for a surprise victory. As in the previous two sets, Delaware took control early, taking the 11-6 advantage. However, the Phoenix rallied, winning 11 of the last 15 points to claim a five-set victory.
The Head Coach Tender mary said the team were able to regroup and come back strong after falling behind in the fifth set.
“We have regained our confidence,” said Tendler. “And once we have our confidence, we’re a tough team to beat. “
Quick start
At the start of the game, the Phoenix looked unstoppable, quickly jumping 7-1. The lead remained comfortable throughout this set and Elon won, 25-15.
The second set was a whole different story, as Delaware started shooting all the cylinders and found holes in Elon’s defense. The Blue Hens took the lead, but the Phoenix recovered as the set progressed with a strong defensive performance. The set tightened towards the end and was tied at 20-20 before Elon took five straight points to win it, 25-20.
To fight
However, the tables turned in the third set, as Delaware took a dominant 19-8 lead. Tendler said Delaware’s offense started to dominate the game from the third set.
“We came out really strong and then all of a sudden in that third set Delaware started to pass better and it was really hard to stop his offense,” said Tendler. “They did a good job following the screening report and knowing what they were going to do. They just started to be more aggressive.
As the Phoenixes again aimed to finish the game in the fourth set, the Blue Hens showed the same courage and determination as the previous set. With Elon’s energy dwindling, the team couldn’t finish the match, losing the fourth set, 25-20.
After a slow start to the final set, Elon hit back with an impressive offensive run to survive with a win. Senior outside hitter Lea Daniel said the team lost momentum in the third and fourth sets, but were proud of how they reacted at the end of the fifth.
“We started off with a lot of energy and kind of died out,” Daniel said. “We got together and got together and got to come back with a lot more energy.”
Undefeated conference start
With this victory, Elon is now 3-0 in the CAA game and won three straight games.
Daniel led the team with 22 kills. She said she was pleased with the team’s undefeated start to the CAA career.
“We’re finally starting to come out and prove game after game what we are capable of,” said Daniel.
Junior free Jordan gower led the way defensively for the Phoenix, picking up 19 of the team’s 61 digs. Senior ferryman Haylie clark had 39 assists, while the second-year passer Link Ericka posted a season-high nine assists.
The team return on Sunday for another clash with Delaware, as they look to continue their undefeated start of the CAA game at 1:30 p.m. at the Schar Center.
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