Elon Phoenix Volleyball Releases 2014 Slate

ELON, N.C. – As the Elon volleyball team begins the next phase in program history, head coach Mary Tendler has announced the schedule for the upcoming 2014 season. This year marks the 42nd year of Elon Volleyball and its first as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. The season’s slate features opponents from the ACC, Big 10 and SEC, as well as a 16-match conference schedule.

“The 2014 season is coming up very quickly and we have a lot of challenges ahead of us,” said Tendler, who begins her 12th season at the helm of the program. “Our entire team has been working hard to prepare for these challenges and we will be ready to go when we kick-off our inaugural season as a member of the CAA. We will face many unfamiliar teams, but we also will see quite a few familiar foes who we have developed rivalries with in recent years. Our team will benefit from a lot of experienced players returning and a couple of newcomers that are ready to make an immediate impact. I look forward to getting started in August.”

The Phoenix will open the season with the annual Elon Phoenix Classic on August 29 – 30 in Alumni Gym. The first match of the season for Elon will be against ACC opponent Maryland on Friday, August 29, at 7 p.m. Also, joining the tournament are San Jose State and Liberty. The maroon and gold faces the Spartans the following day at 12:30 p.m. before concluding the tournament at 7 p.m. against the Flames.

The next weekend will see Elon traveling to Kennesaw, Ga., for a two-day tournament at Kennesaw State on Sept. 5 – 6. Besides the Owls, the maroon and gold will also play the Big 10’s Purdue and UNC Asheville.

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Phoenix renews its rivalry with High Point in a 7 p.m. match in Alumni Gym.

That same week, Elon heads to a tournament at Campbell on Sept. 12 – 13 in Buies Creek, N.C. The Phoenix will take on the host Camels, SEC opponent South Carolina and North Florida.

After its annual match against North Carolina A&T on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. at home, Elon closes out the tournament portion of its schedule in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Sept. 19 – 20. The tournament will see the Phoenix take on former conference opponent Western Carolina, as well as Winthrop and host Wake Forest.

A non-conference match at North Carolina Central on Tuesday, Sept. 23, begins the final week of September before Elon’s CAA debut. The Phoenix hosts Hofstra on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. in its conference opener and closes out the weekend on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 2 p.m. against Northeastern.

The maroon and gold plays its first CAA matches on the road on Oct. 2 at James Madison, where Tendler coached prior to arriving at Elon, and at William & Mary on Oct. 4.

Elon will keep up its rivalry with UNCG despite no longer being conference foes when the Phoenix goes to Greensboro on Tuesday, Oct. 7, for a match in Fleming Gym.

The Phoenix welcomes UNC Wilmington to Alumni Gym on Saturday, Oct. 11, for the first of a four-match home stand. Towson pays a visit on Thursday, Oct. 16, followed by Delaware on Saturday, Oct. 18. Elon and College of Charleston meet again as conference opponents after a one-year absence on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. in Alumni Gym.

The maroon and gold makes return visits to Northeastern and Hofstra on Nov. 24 and 26, respectively, before closing out October on Halloween against William & Mary at home.

Sunday, Nov. 2, will mark the last home match of the season for Elon as the team plays James Madison on senior day. The match will be the last in Alumni Gym for seniors Kris Harris, Chanelle Smith and Danielle Smith.

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, Elon pays a visit to UNCW for a 7 p.m. match before heading to Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, Nov. 8, to meet the Cougars in TD Arena at 5 p.m.

The Phoenix will close out the regular season at Delaware and Towson. Elon plays the Blue Hens on Friday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. and the Tigers at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15.

The 2014 CAA Championships are scheduled for Nov. 21 – 24. The top four teams from the regular season make the championship, which is hosted by the No. 1 seed.

Schedule