DURHAM, N.C.?Lauren Ficker recorded 11 kills and hit .529 but UNC Asheville had 10 service errors as Elon took the season opener 25-19, 25-17, 26-24 on the first day of the Hilton/RTP NCCU Volleyball Tournament.
The Bulldogs fell behind 8-1 early in the first set with four hitting errors in the first nine points. Ficker led the Dogs back with three-consecutive kills to pull Asheville to within 11-10 but Elon began a 6-1 run to take back control of the set.
Ficker led the team in hitting and was tied for the match-high along with Elon's Traci Stewart with 11 kills. They were the only players with double figure kills in the match. Kelsey Benorden and Heather Burns each had seven kills for Asheville. Mandy Wilson had eight kills and Sarah Schermerhorn added seven kills for Elon.
“Lauren (Ficker) was very focused and played as well as I have seen her play,” said Asheville head coach Julie Torbett. “Elon is a much improved team and is very tall. We had trouble hitting early in the match and we did not serve as tough as we needed to. I saw a number of positives in the match including the play of Cindi Miller who we put in after the first set. We have to put this one behind us and get ready for Gulf-Coast.”
The Phoenix kept control of the match hitting .421 in the second set while Asheville hit just .208. For the match the Phoenix hit .338 to the Dogs .253. Elon held a 25-20 advantage in digs.
Asheville held a 20-18 lead in the third set before Elon used a 4-1 run to take a 22-21 lead. Asheville had set point at 25-24 but an attack error and a Stewart kill gave Elon the set and the match.
Elon has to turn around and face Maine at 3 p.m. while UNC Asheville will play Florida Gulf-Coast at 5 p.m.
