ELON, N.C. – Coming off a stellar fall season, Elon University head women’s tennis coach Elizabeth Anderson has announced the Phoenix’s schedule for the 2012 spring season.
“After a very competitive fall, we are looking forward to a strong non-conference start of the spring season to prepare us for our competitive Southern Conference schedule,” Anderson said. “We hope to have many fans at our matches. Our team greatly appreciates everyone who comes out to the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center to cheer on the team and with great fan support, we hope this season will prove to be a very exciting rise to the top of the conference standings!”
Elon begins its spring slate with four-straight road competitions toward the end of January. Elon will take on North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Jan. 18 before shuffling to Greensboro two days later to face North Carolina A&T on Jan. 20. The Tar Heels finished the season ranked fourth in the nation at the end of last season.
One week later, the Phoenix heads to Blacksburg, Va., for a pair of matches on Jan. 27 and 28 against Virginia Tech and Radford. This past fall, the Phoenix had a solid showing at the Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg. The Hokies finished last season ranked 58th nationally.
The Phoenix returns to the friendly confines of the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center for its home opener on Feb. 11 when it welcomes Gardner-Webb on campus for a 2 p.m. match.
After facing the Lady Pirates of East Carolina in Greenville on Feb. 15, the Phoenix returns home to face Charlotte on Feb. 21 for a 2 p.m. weekday match.
Elon begins Southern Conference action on March 6 when it heads to the mountains of Boone to square off against instate rival Appalachian State at 2:30 p.m. Two days later, the Phoenix welcomes Western Carolina on campus for its first home SoCon match on March 8.
On Friday, April 6, the Phoenix will host the defending SoCon champions from College of Charleston at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center at 2:30 p.m. in its final home league match of the season.
After its home finale against N.C. Central on April 7, the Phoenix closes out the regular-season on the road against instate rival UNCG on April 10 at 2 p.m. The Phoenix’s match against N.C. Central marks Senior Day and the final home match for senior Kaylyn Smialek.
The 2012 SoCon Tournament is scheduled for April 19-22 in Charleston, S.C., hosted by both The Citadel and College of Charleston.