Box Score

ELON, N.C. – Katie Bange posted 11 kills and three blocks, while Jamie DeRatt added 10 kills, six digs and three blocks to lead Georgia Southern to a 3-0 (25-10, 26-24, 25-16) Southern Conference volleyball victory over Elon Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.

Katalin Minnerly posted 33 assists, seven digs and two blocks for the Eagles (17-3, 5-1 SoCon), and Alexandra Beecher had a match-high 12 digs. Kym Coley registered eight kills and three blocks, and Nicole Jeschelnik finished with seven kills and 11 digs.

Cali Estes led Elon (12-10, 3-3 SoCon) with nine kills, and Ana Nicksic finished with 23 assists.

The Eagles hit .284 for the match with just 12 errors, while forcing the Phoenix into an .053 hitting percentage and 21 errors. The Eagles had nine team blocks in the match with six different players in on at least one.

"It was nice to put things together this weekend," said Georgia Southern coach Dustin Wood. "We were refocused and handled pressure well. We blocked really well and took care of the transition opportunities they gave us. We were really prepared and have to prepare the same way again this week."

Georgia Southern took the first set 25-10 by hitting .444 and holding Elon to a negative hitting percentage. The second set was nip-and-tuck throughout. The Phoenix had a chance to take it after an Estes kill gave them a 24-23 lead, but Jeschelnik tied the score with a kill off a Minnerly assist.

Coley and Minnerly combined to block a Kayla Agae swing to make it set point for the Eagles, and Jeschelnik delivered a good serve that ultimately led to an Elon hitting error, giving GSU the set, 26-24.

A 9-3 run in the third set gave Georgia Southern a 19-12 cushion. DeRatt contributed three kills and assisted on a block during the stretch. Jeschelnik pushed the margin to nine points on a serving ace, and the Eagles went on to take the set, 25-16, and the match.
 
Georgia Southern returns to action with a pair of SoCon matches next weekend. The Eagles take on Appalachian State at 7 p.m. Oct. 18, before facing Western Carolina at 7 p.m. Oct. 19.

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