NEWS

The Wildcats had a lot to celebrate in their 3-game sweep over Elon.

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Veteran attackers Anna Withee, Emma Slusser and Isabel Decker recorded eight kills apiece in Davidson’s 3-0 sweep of Elon Friday night.

Upperclassmen Jackie Bardin and Kayla Davis each added six kills of their own, while Davis swung a match-best .500 on the night.

The win moves the Wildcats to 1-0 on the young season, and marks Davidson’s sixth-straight home opening victory.

Overall, the ‘Cats hit .221 as a team and held the Phoenix to a .147 attack percentage. Davidson also served eight aces, led by three alone from junior Jordan Hummel. In her libero debut, Hummel also picked up 17 digs and dished four assists. 

After trailing 22-18 late in the first set, the Wildcats rallied behind Withee’s third kill of the match and three Elon miscues to sneak out the 26-24 set one win. 

Davidson carried that momentum through the second frame, downing the Phoenix 25-17, after a statement block from Melanie Tilles and three service aces from Decker and Elena Garcia-Guerrios. 

After swinging .357 in the second set, the Wildcats closed out strong in the third with a 5-0 run that all but put the game out of reach for Elon. With a 16-14 lead, Slusser and Davis recorded back-to-back kills, before combining on a block assist. From there, Decker notched two-straight kills of her own and led the ‘Cats to securing their first victory of the season.