Elon Volleyball Opens Season With Elon Phoenix Classic

ELON, N.C. – The Elon volleyball team begins its 2014 campaign this weekend with its annual Elon Phoenix Classic. The Phoenix will host Maryland, San Jose State and Liberty in Alumni Gym in the round-robin tournament Friday, Aug. 29 – Saturday, Aug. 30.

Season Preview
The Phoenix returns 12 players, including five starters, from its 2013 squad and welcomes two newcomers. This season will mark Elon’s first in the Colonial Athletic Association era after 11 seasons in the Southern Conference. The maroon and gold will begin the season with its home tournament, followed by tournaments at Kennesaw State, Campbell and Wake Forest, along with some local mid-week matches, before beginning CAA play on Friday, Sept. 26, against Hofstra.

Elon Phoenix Classic Opponents
Elon is playing Maryland and San Jose State for the first time in program history, while matches against Liberty date back to 1985. The Flames hold the overall advantage in the series, 18-2, and won the last meeting two years ago in a tournament at North Carolina Central.

Head Coach Mary Tendler
Elon head coach Mary Tendler is in her 12th season with the Phoenix program. She enters this weekend’s tournament with a 185-175 Elon and career record.

2014 Volleyball Viewbook
The 2014 Elon Volleyball viewbook is now available online. This book brings interactive experience to the fans and incorporates full-color graphics, as well as video content. Check it out in the top menu of the volleyball page on elonphoenix.com.

Looking Back
In 2013, Elon finished the season with a 16-17 overall record and a 7-9 mark in the SoCon. The team advanced to the SoCon Tournament for the fourth straight season before suffering a loss in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Georgia Southern. The Phoenix had two all-conference honorees in Cali Estes and Ally Karle, while Kris Harris was named to the NCCSIA All-state second team. Off the court, Megan Gravley, Harris, Ana Nicksic and Maggie Reichard were all named to the Fall All-SoCon Academic Team.

Looking Ahead
The Phoenix will continue tournament play in the Kennesaw State Invitational next weekend in Kennesaw, Ga. Elon will play the Owls on Friday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. before facing its second Big Ten opponent in as many weeks in No. 8 Purdue on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10 a.m. The maroon and gold then closes out its play in the tournament against UNC Asheville the same day at 5 p.m.