ELON, N.C. -- North Carolina A&T State faced a difficult challenge in Elon’s volleyball team Tuesday night in preparation of the upcoming Spartan-Aggie Invitational at Moore Gymnasium this weekend.

The Phoenix defeated the Aggies in three sets (25-17, 7, 18) at Alumni Gym. The Aggies, who were accurate over the weekend at ASU, posted a hitting percentage of .025 on Tuesday. Elon improved to 3-1 on the season after posting a hitting percentage of .354. The second set saw the Phoenix post a hitting percentage of .750.

Sophomore Christa Wilson led the Aggies with seven kills. Reigning player of the week in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Alyssa Pitt, finished with two total blocks. Elon hitter Courtney Carpenter finished with 10 kills and had only one attack error to post a .692 hitting percentage.

N.C. A&T did take the lead 16-15 in the first on a ball handling error by Sydney Busa. But the Phoenix ran off six straight points thanks to three Aggie attack errors to take a 21-16 lead that led to an Aggies timeout. Senior Samara Brown responded with a kill to halt the Phoenix’s momentum. Elon, however, closed out the set as three of their next four points came on attack errors.

The Aggies tried to extend the match in the third. Pitt and senior Jasmine Lindor combined on a block assist to cut Elon’s lead to 15-11. N.C. A&T got even closer on a Wilson kill before Carpenter scored on a kill of her own. Busa followed with another kill to give the Phoenix a 17-12 lead before freshman Courteney Pitt took a pass from freshman Edie Brewer to slam down a kill. Elon ran off the next three points to help the Phoenix take control of the set to eventually win the match.