ELON, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team committed more errors than points in dropping a non-conference match to host Elon University in straight sets to begin Saturday's play in the Phoenix Classic.
 
The Phoenix (1-5) picked up their first win of the season, sweeping the winless Lady Eagles (0-5) by scores of 25-13, 25-13 and 25-20.
 
NCCU HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
Junior Kelsey Murphy, who only played two sets, led the Lady Eagles in kills for a fifth consecutive match with 10 spikes. Senior Kelly Rossip hit .308 with seven kills and freshman Kierra Shipman matched her with seven spikes.
 
Freshman libero Tamika Brekke tallied a match-highg 17 digs and junior setter Casey Curran notched 17 assists.
 
ELON HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
Sophomore Sydel Curry produced 32 assists for a Phoenix squad that hit .315 for the match. Senior Megan Gravley and junior Ebony Scott paced Elon with 12 and 11 kills, respectively.
 
The hosts made nine blocks with senior Catherine Head, sophomore Sydney Busa and junior Ally Karle all chipping in four block assists.
 
SET-BY-SET:
1ST: The Phoenix soared out to a 9-nil advantage and cruised to the first set victory. Elon hit .464 to keep a commanding lead until winning the frame by 12. Murphy and Rossip each had four kills for the Lady Eagles.
 
2ND: Elon started hot again winning the first six points of the second set. The Phoenix advantage quickly grew to double digits at 15-5 before rolling to another win by a dozen points.
 
3RD: A pair of kills off the arm of Murphy provided NCCU with its first lead of the match at 2-0. A spike by freshman Whitney White and a service ace by Brekke increased the Lady Eagle lead to 4-1 before Elon rallied ahead by three with a 7-1 outburst. NCCU tied the set for a second and final time at eight apiece before the Phoenix went ahead for good by winning the next three serves. The Lady Eagles only trailed 12-11 after a Shipman kill but Elon pulled away with a 6-1 run before winning by five.
 
OTHER NOTES, STATS & FACTS:
Elon is 9-0 against NCCU since the Lady Eagles started competing at the NCAA Division I level (since 2007).
 
NCCU only tallied 34 offensive points while committing 37 combined errors.
 
UP NEXT:
NCCU will wrap up play in the Elon Phoenix Classic against Charleston Southern University on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
 
NCCU Sports Network broadcaster Mike Wood will be on air for an audio webcast that is accessible on the NCCU's official athletics website at www.NCCUEaglePride.com. Live stats will be provided by Elon.