DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore middle blocker Kennedy Clark tallied a career-high four kills and had a .300 hitting percentage to highlight play for the North Carolina Central University volleyball team in 3-0 non-conference home loss to Elon University on Wednesday.
 
The Phoenix served up 11 aces, including one on match point, and hit .262 on the night in prevailing by set scores of 25-17, 25-12 and 25-21. Elon (6-10) ended a three-match losing streak.
 
All six NCCU starters recorded multiple kills for a balanced attack. Freshman Kamren Harper, who was named MEAC Player and Rookie of the Week on Monday, led the Eagles with seven kills while adding nine digs. Junior Abby Vacha followed with five kills; Clark blasted her four kills on just 10 attempts; freshman Tori Wilson had three kills; freshman Tori Wilson logged two kills; and sophomore setter Vanila Pulu-Suliafu chipped in two kills and nine assists.
 
Sophomore Azra Osmanovic led the maroon and gray with a season-high 11 assists and classmate Loren Johnson once again reached double-digit digs from the libero position with 11 digs.
 
Elon never trailed in the first set to set the tone for the match. NCCU was only trailing the Phoenix 14-11 in the middle stanza before the visitors finished the frame on an 11-1 run that included four aces by junior Ericka Link. The Eagles threatened to extend the match, leading as late as 12-10 and only trailing by one as late as 22-21, but Elon secured the final three points of the match to complete the sweep. Harper helped keep NCCU in the third set with five of her seven kills in that period.
 
Senior Leah Daniel and freshman Brooke Doherty led the victors with eight kills apiece. Senior libero Jordan Gower had a strong performance with 18 digs and senior setter Sydney Love orchestrated the attack with 28 assists.
 
NC Central (3-11) will return to league play and will next host MEAC foe Delaware State University on Friday at 6 p.m.