Appalachian State University's volleyball team secured a decisive 3-1 victory over Elon University in an away match on Tuesday. The Mountaineers traveled for the Tuesday contest, ultimately prevailing after four sets of competitive play.
The opening set saw a close contest, with both teams briefly holding the lead. Ultimately, Elon University claimed the first set with a score of 25-22. Anna Sewell, an outside hitter for Elon, was a key contributor for the Phoenix, leading her team with 5 kills in the set.
Entering the second set, Elon initially maintained its momentum and established an early lead of 9-6. However, App State steadily closed the gap, tying the set at 12 points. The remainder of the second set unfolded as a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging the lead for short durations. The Mountaineers, however, managed to stay ahead and clinched the set 25-24. Junior outside hitter Bella Hutchens played a significant role for App State in this set, recording 5 kills. Her performance in the first two sets totaled 12 kills.
Building on their success from the second set, App State carried its rhythm into the third. The Mountaineers started strong, establishing a commanding 14-7 lead. Despite this early advantage, Elon mounted a comeback effort, catching up to the Mountaineers as the set progressed. Nevertheless, App State held its ground and narrowly won the third set with a score of 26-24, giving them a 2-1 lead in the overall match.
The fourth and final set saw App State at its most dominant. The team's plays were described as "clicking at the right moments," leading to a strong performance. The Black and Gold quickly built a substantial lead, sitting at 15-7 in the early stages of the set. Maintaining this strong form, App State decisively won the fourth set 25-15, thereby securing the match victory with a final score of 3-1.
Throughout the match, several App State players delivered standout performances. Bella Hutchens led the team in kills, finishing the contest with an impressive 19 kills. Junior setter Raegan Richardson was instrumental in orchestrating the Mountaineers' offense, leading the team in assists with a total of 32.
Following their road win, App State's volleyball team is set to return home this weekend to host the Mountaineer Classic. The tournament schedule includes three matches for the Mountaineers. On Friday, App State will face William & Mary at 3 p.m. The action continues on Saturday, with the Mountaineers playing against the University of North Florida at 2 p.m. The classic concludes for App State on Sunday, as they compete against Western Carolina University at 2 p.m.
