ELON, N.C. – The Elon University women’s tennis team will start its 2014 spring season Saturday, Jan 18, on the road at the 54th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg, Va. The match is set for 2 p.m. at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.
“We are looking forward to beginning our season and to playing Virginia Tech on Saturday,” said Elon head coach Elizabeth Anderson. “We have some great matches ahead of us in January and are excited to compete as a team again.”
KEEP TRACK OF THE PHOENIX: Saturday’s match at Virginia Tech can be followed with live online scoring by clicking here.
ELON vs. VIRGINIA TECH: Since moving to Division I before the 2000 season, Elon has matched up against the Hokies four times, the last of which came in 2012. Ranked No. 60 in the nation, Virginia Tech handled the Phoenix 6-1 in Blacksburg. Each of the four matches against Virginia Tech has been played in Blacksburg.
ELON vs. THE ACC: In 19 matches against ACC programs, Elon holds a record of 1-18. The Phoenix picked up its first win against an ACC school Jan. 26, 2013 against Wake Forest. Eight of those 19 matches have been played against North Carolina. Overall, the Phoenix holds a mark of 0-8 against the Tar Heels. Elon takes on North Carolina Jan. 22 after its trip to Virginia Tech.
IN THE POLLS: The Phoenix open the 2014 season ranked No. 70 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings while senior Jordan Johnston checks in at No. 69 in the nation on the singles side. Johnston earned 15 wins in 2013 from the No. 1 singles position. With partner Frida Jansaker, the duo went 22-2 from the top doubles spot.
LOOKING BACK: Elon finished with a program-record 21 victories a season ago and only dropped four matches throughout the course of the year. The Phoenix rode an eight-match winning streak entering the Southern Conference tournament and stretched it to 10 straight before falling in a tight match in the finals to College of Charleston. Elon had two double-digit winning streaks in 2013, as the first was a program-best 11 wins in a row dating from Jan. 25 to March 9.
LOOKING AHEAD: Following Elon’s trip to Blacksburg, the Phoenix will stay on the road as they take on two of the nation’s top teams. First, Elon travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. to take on No. 3 North Carolina. That match will be followed by an appearance in the ITA Kickoff Weekend tournament, as the Phoenix travel to Athens, Ga. to take on No. 4 Georgia.