Elon Volleyball Travels to Davidson to Take On Wildcats

ELON, N.C. – After another successful weekend, the Elon volleyball team plays another mid-week match this week as the Phoenix (4-2) travels to Davidson (2-4) on Tuesday, Sept. 5, to take on the Wildcats at 7 p.m. in Davidson, N.C.

A Look at the Phoenix
Elon is 4-2 on the season after a 3-1 week last week, including a 2-1 mark in the Tussle in the Triad tournament. The Phoenix swept North Carolina A&T in a mid-week match before claiming its third straight win with a 3-1 final against Youngstown State. After falling to High Point, 3-1, the maroon and gold closed out the tournament with a five-set win at UNCG. Sydel Curry had a strong week, setting a new career high in assists in three straight matches after posting 48, 50 and 51 assists in the tournament’s three matches to average 11.4 assists per set and also claim a double-double against the Spartans. Michelle Klein and Kam Terry were strong on the attack for Elon with Klein hitting .444 on the week and Agae averaging 3.12 kills per set after 50 kills total and added 3.88 digs per set and 11 aces. On defense, Ally Karle posted 17 total blocks and1.31 blocks per set to help the Phoenix out-block opponents, 62-28, and average 1.69 blocks/set. Both Curry and Agae were named to the Tussle in the Triad all-tournament team.

Scouting the Wildcats
Davidson is 2-4 on the season after going 1-2 in the Wake Forest Invitational over the weekend. The Wildcats claimed a 3-1 win over the Deacs before falling in three to both Loyola-Chicago and College of Charleston. Emily Franklins leads Davidson with a .343 hitting percentage, while Sabrina Shepherd has tallied the most kills with 41. Mason Rooney and Mikayla Derochie split the setting duties, averaging 4.32 and 4.14 assists per set, respectively. On defense, Franklin and Shepherd are posting 1.32 and 1.14 blocks per set to help Davidson to 2.8 blocks/set.

The Series
Tuesday marks the 23rd all-time meeting between the Phoenix and the Wildcats and the second since both teams left the Southern Conference. The series is even, 11-all, after Elon claimed a 3-0 win last year on Sept. 8 in Alumni Gym. The Phoenix has won five of the last six meetings, including the last two matches played in Belk Arena.

CAA Defensive Player of the Week
On Monday, Sept. 5, the CAA announced that Ally Karle had been named the CAA Defensive Player of the Week. Karle led the Phoenix that week, posting 17 total blocks in three matches to average 1.31 blocks per set. The middle blocker tallied seven blocks and nine kills in a 3-1 win over Youngstown State before adding another blocks and 10 kills against High Point. In the Tussle in the Triad finale at UNCG, the senior posted a season-high nine blocks in a 3-2 win to go along with eight kills. The Flanders, N.J., native also finished the week with 27 kills off 62 attempts and seven errors to hit .323. It marked the first time a Phoenix player the award since joining the league. Previously, Sydeney Busa was honored as the rookie of the week in 2014.

Head Coach Mary Tendler
Elon head coach Mary Tendler is in her 14th season with the Phoenix program. She enters Tuesday’s match with a 202-226 Elon and career coaching record. Tendler earned her 200th career victory on Aug. 30 with the maroon and gold’s win over North Carolina A&T.

Follow the Phoenix
Fans can follow the Phoenix throughout the season with updates on elonphoenix.com. Live stats for every volleyball match will be available on the team’s schedule and home pages on the Elon athletic website. In-game updates will also be provided on Twitter at @elonscores.

Looking Ahead
This weekend, the Phoenix hosts its annual Elon Phoenix Classic, welcoming Norfolk State, Wofford, Delaware State and Gardner-Webb to Alumni Gym Friday, Sept. 9 – Saturday, Sept. 10. Elon takes on the Spartans and Terriers on Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively. On Sept. 10, the Phoenix plays the Hornets at 11:30 a.m. before closing out the Elon Phoenix Classic against the Runnin’ Bulldogs at 7 p.m. that evening.