ELON, NC -- After a season that saw the Phoenix finish with a 16-20 overall mark and a 5-9 Big South record, coach Sue Leonard is looking to have her team be a force to be reckoned with in 2001.

Elon will be led by junior outside hitter Laura Griffin (Wilmington, NC) and senior outside hitter Robyn West (Ellicott City, MD). Last season these two ladies combined for 649 kills and 102 blocks. Griffin earned Second Team All-Big South honors, while West garnered Big South All-Tournament status.

Seniors Sarah Anthony (MH - Gilford, NH) and Katie Forman (DS - Scotts, MI) and sophomore Maria LaBrutto (MH - Vestal, NY) also return to the starting lineup for the Phoenix. Anthony averaged 1.47 kpg and 0.72 dpg last season, while Forman put up 2.55 dpg. LaBrutto averaged 1.64 kills and 2.46 digs and ranked second on the team with 30 aces.

Joining the Phoenix this season will be five freshman. Leonard hopes these incoming players will be able to make an immediate impact on her squad. Three of the five players hail from North Carolina: Ruthanne Clark (OH/MH - Greensboro, NC), Sarah Farley (MH - Wilmington, NC) and Emily Hayes (OH - Asheboro, NC). Lindsay Lawson (S/OH) comes to Elon from Baldwin, MD, while Katie Newby (S) comes north from Miami, FL.

Elon's competitive 2001 schedule includes tournaments at Hampton, Virginia Commonwealth and Robert Morris, as well as non-conference matches with UNC Wilmington, N.C. A&T, Mercer, Western Carolina and Wake Forest. The Phoenix will also go through the always competitve Big South slate of games, including contests with the Big South's newest member, Birmingham Southern.

--ELON--