Elon Volleytball Closes Out Regular Season on Road This Weekend

ELON, N.C. – The Elon volleyball team has played 30 matches so far this season and only has two remaining on its schedule to close out the 2014 regular season. The Phoenix (6-24, 1-13 CAA) travels to Delaware (14-15, 7-7 CAA) on Friday, Nov. 14, before the season concludes on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Towson (25-4, 11-3 CAA).

Looking Back
Elon fell to College of Charleston on the road, 3-0, in its last match on Nov. 8. The Phoenix saw six kills from both Megan Gravley and Ally Karle, while Gravley also tallied eight digs. On defense, Kris Harris posted a match-high four blocks to help the maroon and gold out block the Cougars, 8-5. Ana Nicksic recorded a match-high 18 assists, while Morgan Maner led the team with 12 digs.

Scouting the Blue Hens
Friday is only the second all-time meeting between the Blue Hens and the Phoenix with the first coming on Oct. 18 when Delaware visited Alumni Gym. The Blue Hens won the inaugural meeting, 3-0, in a tight match that saw each set won by no more than three points. Delaware ranks third in the conference in blocks, averaging 2.34 blocks/set. Sophomore Alexa Swann leads the Blue Hens’ block with 63 blocks (1.24/set) in conference play.

Scouting the Tigers
While Oct. 16 marked the first trip to Elon for the Tigers, Saturday is the second time the Phoenix has played at Towson. The Tigers took a 3-1 win in the match earlier this season after Elon’s rally to take the match to five sets fell short. Towson leads the conference in three of the four main offensive stats categories – hitting percentage (.282), kills (14.12/set) and service aces (1.57/set). The team’s hitting is led by senior Victoria Williams (.360) who ranks first in the league, while sophomore Candace Steadman (.331) ranks third and two other Tigers rank in the top-10. Saitaua Iosia averages 0.45 aces per set, with 44 aces on the season, to lead the league and rank 11th in the nation.

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 191-199 Elon and career record.