VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS ELON IN SECOND ROUND OF THE SACRAMENTO STATE INVITATIONAL

9/4/2010

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Junior Eryn Kirby (11), sophomore Janelle Currey (10) and freshman Kayla Beal (10) each had double figures in kills to lead the Hornets to a three-set sweep (25-22, 25-15, 25-20) of Elon in the second round of the Sacramento State Volleyball Invitational Saturday afternoon at Colberg Court.

With the win, the Hornets (3-3 overall) improved to 1-1 at the two-day, three-match tournament and conclude tourney play this evening against Cal State Northridge at 7:30 p.m. Sacramento State fell to UTSA in five sets last night to open the tournament. Elon (5-2) fell to 0-2 at the tourney, including last night’s five-set loss to Cal State Northridge.

Sacramento State was in control throughout the match as Elon’s largest lead came at 13-11 in the first set. The Hornets hit a season-high .250 with 41 kills, 44 digs and 10.0 team blocks. Conversely, the Phoenix hit just .140 with 29 kills, 38 digs and 7.0 team blocks. Sacramento State also had six service aces compared to zero for Elon.

Beal’s 10 kills accompanied five blocks and a match-best .562 hitting percentage (10-1-16). After recording just one kill through the first two matches of the season, the freshman rightside hitter is hitting .411 with averages of 2.40 kills and 0.87 blocks per set over the last four matches. During that four-match stretch, she has hit better than .420 three times. Her overall hitting percentage of .403 is the best mark on the team.

Currey’s 10 kills accompanied four digs as her streak of recording a double-double in five straight matches came to an end. Kirby’s 11 kills marked the third time this season the outside hitter has connected for double figures. Junior Kelsey Elston had five kills, a .400 hitting percentage (5-1-10) and a match-best six blocks. Junior libero Breanne Menees had 17 digs and was the only player in the match to record more than eight digs.

Elon was led by Caroline Lemke’s 12 kills. No other Phoenix player recorded more than five kills.

For complete tournament information, results and this evening’s schedule, click here.