WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Allison Johnson led the Elon volleyball team with a season-high 13 kills as it defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams 3-0 (25-9, 25-7, 25-22) on Wednesday evening. Elon improved to 18-4 on the season, while the Rams fell to 4-25. The Phoenix is now 13-1 in non-conference action.
"It was a great atmosphere tonight," head coach Mary Tendler said. "Winston-Salem State put on its first 'Pink Out' and it was nice to be a part of it. Allison (Johnson) had a good night and made some key plays for us in the third set."
Johnson finished with a .611 attack percentage after committing just two errors in 18 attempts. Mandy Wilson was second on the team with seven kills, followed by five Phoenix players with four kills. Alli Nogi recorded her first collegiate points with a kill and service ace. As a team, Elon registered a season-best .420 attack percentage.
Defensively, Sarah Schermerhorn, Celia Eddy and Johnson totaled two assisted blocks each as Elon held the Rams to a .034 team hitting percentage.
Annika Barnwell led the Rams with 11 kills, followed by Ashley Harris and Erica Cole with four kills each. Jasmine Frazier finished with one solo and three assisted blocks.
Elon raced out to a 12-2 lead in the first set before a Winston-Salem State block ended the run. Behind the serve of Schermerhorn, the Phoenix added to its lead that brought the score to 16-4. The Rams scored back-to-back points, but a Schermerhorn kill sealed the first set 25-9.
The teams battled over the opening possessions of the second set, tying three times, before a kill by Johnson sparked a four-point run that allowed Elon to take a 7-4 lead. The Phoenix scored 13 straight points that brought the score to 20-5 before a kill by WSSU's Cole ended the run. Elon went on to record five of the final seven points, including the set-winner by Johnson, to take the second set 25-7.
The final set of the match proved to be a closer contest, as neither team took more than a three-point lead and tied nine times. A WSSU attack error allowed the Phoenix to take an 18-14 lead. The Rams fought back to within one at the 22-21 mark with a block by Barnwell and Georgette Allen that forced Elon to take a timeout. Johnson scored three of the final four points of the set as the Phoenix won 25-22.
Elon will travel to Charleston, S.C. to resume Southern Conference play. Elon will face The Citadel on Saturday at 7 p.m., before taking on the College of Charleston at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Full coverage of the matches will be available at www.elonphoenix.com.