ELON, N.C. – UNCG won its seventh-straight match Wednesday night as the Spartans bested Elon 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21) on the road inside Alumni Gym.  The Blue and Gold extends its best start to a season in 20 years improving to 10-2 overall while Elon falls to 3-10.

The Spartans won their fourth-straight decision over the Phoenix including both matches since Elon left the Southern Conference to join the CAA. Speaking of non-conference opponents, UNCG has already well assured itself of a winning non-league record for the ninth time in the last 10 years. Additionally, in winning the first set, the Spartans improved to 26-1 under head coach Corey Carlin when taking the first stanza.

Reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Week Ashley Muench delivered again Wednesday with a match-high 16 kills and a .269 hitting percentage. She added eight digs and three block assists for good measure. Junior outside hitter Jessica Brezwyn followed with 10 kills and 15 digs for her team-high third double-double of the season. Freshman setter Allison Penner also turned in her third double-double to the tune of 44 assists and 12 digs. Rounding out the defensive efforts was senior libero Katherine Santiago who finished with 16 digs of her own.

UNCG hit over .200 for the seventh consecutive match ending up at .217 off of 52 kills on 157 attempts. The Phoenix were all over the place offensively as they made 34 attacking errors to hit just .098. The Spartans also held the upper hand in digs (79-74) and total blocks (8.0 to 7.0) while Elon recorded more aces (3-1).

The Phoenix rung up a sizable lead in the fourth stanza at 9-4 but as they had all evening, the Spartans answered and knotted the score at 13 after an Elon attacking error. The adversaries battled to a tie at 20 points apiece before UNCG asserted its will. A service error by Terry Kam afforded the Spartans a 21-20 edge and that would be enough for the Blue and Gold who took the fourth set 25-21 and clinched the match.

UNCG wraps up non-conference play this weekend with its longest road trip of the season to Waco, Texas for the Baylor Invitational. The Spartans will face off against Rice, Baylor and Stephen F. Austin during the two-day event scheduled for Sept. 18-19.