Elon Volleyball Phoenix Travels to Northeast to Visit Huskies and Pride

ELON, N.C. – The Elon volleyball team makes its first trip to the Northeast as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association this weekend as the Phoenix (5-18, 0-8 CAA) get set to play Northeastern (9-13, 1-7 CAA) and Hofstra (19-3, 7-1 CAA) for the second time this season. The maroon and gold takes on the Huskies on Friday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. in Boston before playing the Pride on Sunday, Oct. 26, in Hempstead, N.Y., at 1 p.m.

Looking Back
The Phoenix wrapped up a tough schedule of three matches in four days on Sunday. Elon faced Towson, Delaware and College of Charleston in that stretch in Alumni Gym. Ally Karle played strong for the maroon and gold, recording 37 kills to hit .366 and average 3.7 kills per set along with 10 blocks (one block/set). The sophomore notched a season-high 17 kills against Towson and posted another 11 kills against CofC to hit .421. On defense, Kris Harris tallied 14 blocks to average 1.4 blocks/set, including seven blocks against Delaware.

Elon vs. Hofstra
When the Pride visited Alumni Gym on Sept. 26, it marked the first meeting between the two programs. In the match, the Phoenix rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take the third set but Hofstra held on to win the fourth set and take a 3-1 win. Despite losing its first conference match last weekend, the Pride sits first in the league with a 7-1 record. Hofstra’s Kelsie Wills and Hannah Klemm lead the CAA in kills and assists, respectively, helping the team rank second in hitting percentage (.258) and kills (13.9/set).

Elon vs. Northeastern
Friday marks Elon’s first visit to play the Huskies on their home court. The previous two meetings were played at a neutral site (2012 Duke Challenge) and earlier this season in Alumni Gym. Northeastern’s libero Natalia Skiba leads the conference in digs (5.68/set) and has earned defensive player of the week honors twice this season, helping the team to 15.82 digs/set to rank second in the league. Rookie Brigitte Burescu, who has earned rookie weekly honors three times this season, tallied 35 kills on the road last week for five kills/set.

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 190-194 Elon and career record. Tendler is 10 wins away from reaching the century mark in career wins.

Looking Ahead
Elon will close out the home portion of its 2014 schedule when it hosts William & Mary and James Madison next weekend. The Phoenix welcomes the Tribe for a Halloween match on Friday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. before Senior Day on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. against the Dukes.