Seahawks Win Elon Volleyball Classic As McConnell Is Named MVP

Junior Lindsey Strucko posted 11 kills and 13 digs for her first career double-double as UNC Wilmington defeated Elon, 3-0 (27-25, 25-21, 25-20), in the championship game of the Elon Volleyball Classic Saturday at Alumni Gym.

The Seahawks improved to 5-1 overall and captured the tournament crown after finishing the two-day event with a perfect 3-0 mark. It is the second in-season tournament title for UNCW in the Jennifer McCall era, having won last season's Catamount Clash. The Phoenix, meanwhile, dropped to 5-2 on the young season.

"I was really pleased with our performance throughout the tournament and especially during tonight's championship match," McCall said. "We played hard tonight and I was pleased with how we fought against Elon. Ashlyn (Morris) held us together tonight with her digs and allowed us to stay in system."

Strucko's 11 kills highlighted a UNCW attack that hit .205 in the contest. Tournament MVP junior Paula McConnell was the other Seahawk in double-figures, chipping in 12 kills on 21 attempts for a .429 attack percentage. Fellow all-tournament team selection sophomore Rachael Caricato pitched in eight kills with just one error on 17 attempts for a .412 hitting percentage. Strucko was one three players to record double-figure digs as junior Ashlyn Morris posted a game-high 22 and junior Anna Price added 11. All-tournament team selection senior Jacqueline Crane handed out a game-high 34 assists.

Caroline Lemke was the lone Elon player to post double-figure kills, posting a game-high 14. Defensively, Kelley Blakewood posted 15 digs while Tracy Stewart added 13. Emily Regan doled out 15 assists and Megan McMahon added 13.

UNCW returns to action next Friday when it opens the Georgia Southern "Bash in the 'Boro" event with matches against host Georgia Soutern (Noon) and Eastern Michigan (5 p.m.).

Elon Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team

Janae Williams - NC A&T
Caitling Bendy - Campbell
Sarah Schermerhorn - Elon
Traci Stewart - Elon
Jacqueline Crane - UNC Wilmington
Rachael Caricato - UNC Wilmington
MVP - Paula McConnell - UNC Wilmington
-Courtesy UNCW

-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT