Elon Volleyball Plays First CAA Matches This Weekend in Alumni

ELON, N.C. – The Elon volleyball team (5-10) plays the programs eagerly anticipated first Colonial Athletic Association match on Friday, Sept. 26, when it hosts Hofstra (12-2) at 7 p.m. in Alumni Gym. CAA play continues on Sunday, Sept. 28, when Northeastern (7-6) visits campus for a 2 p.m. match.

Looking Back
The Phoenix claimed a very hard fought 3-0 win at North Carolina Central on Tuesday with two sets going into extra points. Playing its second straight match with only seven players, each player was needed to make an impact. Ally Karle, who played out of her normal position, led all players with 13 kills. Both Chelsea Rafetto and Chanelle Smith tallied double-doubles with 35 assists and 13 digs by Rafetto and 10 kills and a match-high 18 digs by Smith. Michelle Klein helped Elon to seven total team blocks by matching a career-high four blocks.

Vs. Hofstra
Friday marks the first of many future meetings between the Pride and the Phoenix. The two squads will meet again next month when Elon travels to Hempstead, N.Y., for the return match on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m.

Vs. Northeastern
The Phoenix and the Huskies have only met once previously, which was in the Duke Challenge in 2012 in Durham, N.C. Northeastern won the match, 3-0, while Elon saw strong performances from Megan Gravley and Kris Harris. Gravley led the team with nine kills and added six digs. Harris helped the maroon and gold out-block the Huskies, 8-2, with three blocks.

Head Coach Mary Tendler
Elon head coach Mary Tendler is in her 12th season with the Phoenix program. She enters this weekend’s match with a 190-185 Elon and career record. She is now 10 wins away from reaching the century mark in career wins.

Looking Ahead
The Phoenix plays its first CAA road matches next weekend. Elon travels to James Madison on Thursday, Oct. 2, and then to William & Mary on Saturday, Oct. 4. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.