Elon Volleyball Travels to Virginia in First CAA Road Trip

ELON, N.C. – After opening conference play in its first Colonial Athletic Association matches at home, the Elon volleyball team (5-12, 0-2 CAA) travels to Virginia this week for a pair of road matches. The Phoenix faces James Madison (9-5, 1-0 CAA) in Harrisonburg, Va., on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. before taking on the Tribe of William & Mary (4-11, 0-1 CAA) on Saturday, Oc. 4, at 7 p.m. in Williamsburg, Va.

Looking Back
The Phoenix went 1-2 last week, picking up a sweep at North Carolina Central before losses to Hofstra and Northeastern. Elon played well in each set but was not able to close it out. Chelsea Rafetto had three strong matches, finishing the week with 100 assists and averaged 10.0 assists per set. At NCCU, the sophomore averaged 11.66 assists/set after 35 assists in the three set match. Megan Gravley tallied 31 kills on the week to average 4.43 kills per set, while Catherine Head posted six total blocks for one block/set.

Vs. James Madison
Thursday marks only the second meeting between the Dukes and the Phoenix. The teams last played in 2007 in a tournament hosted by JMU in which the Dukes won, 3-0.

Vs. William & Mary
The Phoenix is 1-3 all-time against the Tribe. The first meeting between the two programs was during Elon’s third year of program existence in 1974. Elon won the match, 2-0, but W&M has won the last three meetings by a 3-1 final in 2005, 2008 and 2012. When the Phoenix and the Tribe last played in the 2012 Colonial Challenge, the maroon and gold saw a double-double from Megan Gravley (11 kills and 10 digs) and another 10 kills by Chanelle Smith.

Head Coach Mary Tendler
Elon head coach Mary Tendler is in her 12th season with the Phoenix program. She enters this weekend’s matches with a 190-187 Elon and career record. Tendler is now 10 wins away from reaching the century mark in career wins.

Coaching Connection
Prior to being named the head coach at Elon, Mary Tendler was an assistant coach for the Dukes for three years. She helped JMU to a CAA tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Looking Ahead
The Phoenix continues its three-match road swing with a match at former conference rival UNCG on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. in Greensboro, N.C.