College of Charleston
Elon
Volleyball Blanks Phoenix in Straight Sets
10/19/2014 10:29:00 PM | Volleyball
ELON, N.C. – Led by a 14-kill performance from junior Melissa Morello and another strong defensive display from senior libero Andi Zbojniewicz, College of Charleston volleyball downed former Southern Conference rivals Elon in straight sets on Sunday afternoon, 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 25-21) at Alumni Gym
Joining in the plaudits for CofC was senior right-side hitter Sloane White who managed eight kills on 19 swings (.316) as well as sophomore Maddie Hills who kept alive her string of efficient offensive outings, hitting .300 and notching six kills while also grabbing three blocks. Both Kallie McKown and Mackenzie Cooler continued to look at home in the Cougars 6-2 rotation, dishing out 26 and 17 assists, respectively.
Playing each other for the first time as members of the Colonial Athletic Association, the Cougars (14-9, 6-2 CAA) took it to Phoenix (5-19, 0-8 CAA) from the outset, jumping out to a 9-5 lead following a kill from Grace Rebarchak. Hitting almost .400 as a team in the early goings, CofC then stretched their advantage to 19-13 on back-to-back kills from senior captain Cara Howley. After the Phoenix closed the gap to four, the Cougars set Sloane White on set point and the senior right-side delivered, giving CofC a 25-20 game one victory.
Elon quickly regained their composure and bounced back in the second set to take a 12-7 lead on an ace from Megan Gravely. After a Cougar attack error gave the Phoenix what appeared to be an insurmountable lead at 19-12, head coach Jason Kepner took a timeout that would ultimately swing the game's momentum. Following the breather, the Cougars were a team possessed, rattling off seven straight points to tie frame at 19 apiece. After a quick side-out saved the Cougars from an Elon set point at 25-24, the Cougars then continued to push for the winner and it was senior outside hitter Catey Warren who provided the firepower, ripping a kill down the line to hand CofC a 28-26 win.
The third frame was never in question as the Cougars continued to press a now deflated Elon side, hitting .271 as a team and grabbing three blocks en route to a 25-21 game three victory.
The Cougars now lead the all-time series with Elon by a commanding 15-1 margin, while coach Kepner took his all-time tally to 10-0 against the Phoenix.
The Cougars will now enjoy a day off to focus on their academics before beginning preparations for James Madison, who heads to TD Arena for a 7:00 p.m. clash next Friday, Oct. 24. In their only previous meeting this season, the Cougars vanquished the Dukes in four sets.
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