2012 Elon Volleyball Schedule Announced

ELON, N.C. – Elon head volleyball coach, Mary Tendler, has announced the Phoenix program’s schedule for the upcoming 2012 season. Elon enters its 40th season of volleyball with Tendler at the helm for her 10th. This season’s match ups include the normal Southern Conference slate, as well as a home match against SEC power Alabama.

“Our schedule will be very challenging this year,” described Tendler. “But I know this group of players can handle it. They worked very hard in the off-season and seem to be on a mission to do great things in the fall. I look forward to having our returners and freshmen together, on the court, for the first time in August!”

The maroon and gold will start the season for the sixth straight year at the Hilton/RTP NCCU Tournament on Friday, August 24. The tournament, which runs through August 25, will include matchups against Canisius, Bradley and Liberty.

Wednesday, August 29, will mark the home opener for the Phoenix as it hosts North Carolina A&T in Alumni Gym at 7 p.m.

The annual Elon Phoenix Classic will take place on August 31 – September 1 and will feature Elon, Gardner-Webb, North Carolina Central and Alabama. The Phoenix and Crimson Tide are set for a 7 p.m. match on Sept. 1.

After a road match at Radford on Wednesday, Sept. 4., the maroon and gold will participate in the Duke Challenge on Sept. 7-8 against Duke, Northeastern and East Carolina.

Elon returns to Alumni Gym for a match against High Point on Sept. 11 and then heads to the Colonial Challenge in Williamsburg, Va. The Phoenix will face William & Mary, Howard and another team still to be determined.

SoCon play begins at home against in-state rival UNCG on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m., followed by a match against last year’s tournament runner-up, College of Charleston, on Sept. 22. Elon ends the month with the always important trip to Western Carolina and Appalachian State on Sept. 28 – 29.

The Phoenix is home for six matches in October beginning with Chattanooga and reigning SoCon Champion Samford on Oct. 5 – 6. The maroon and gold takes its only road trip of the month to face Davidson on Oct. 12 and Georgia Southern on Oct. 14. After hosting Wofford and Furman on Oct. 19 – 20, Elon closes out its home schedule with ASU on Oct. 26 and WCU on Oct. 27.

Elon returns the trip to Samford and Chattanooga on Nov. 2 – 3 and then faces a rematch at UNCG on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. The regular season will end with a match at The Citadel on Nov. 10.

Davidson will host the 2012 SoCon Volleyball Championship, which will take place on Nov. 17 – 19 in Davidson, N.C., at Belk Arena.

The Phoenix finished last season 19-14, marking its fifth consecutive winning campaign. Elon will look to make a trip to the eight-team SoCon tournament for the third straight year.