ELON, N.C. – Every Monday, Phoenix fans can get a look at the week ahead with our “This Week in Elon Athletics” feature when we will preview all the week’s upcoming events for our fall sports teams. “Follow us” on Twitter at @elonphoenix and @elonscores, “Like” Elon Phoenix on Facebook and continue to check elonphoenix.com to stay current on all things Elon Athletics.
 
Men’s Basketball (9-9, 4-3)
Elon at Western Carolina, Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m., Cullowhee, N.C.
Elon at Appalachian State, Saturday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m., Boone, N.C.
 
• The Phoenix currently sits in first place in the Southern Conference North Division after a big 88-87 victory over Chattanooga on Saturday night. Elon faces two important division matchups on the road this week at Western Carolina and Appalachian State.
• Elon has suffered three straight losses to Western Carolina, including a 70-63 decision in Cullowhee last year. The Phoenix owns the all-time series advantage, 51-38.
• The Phoenix is still looking for its first win over Appalachian State during the Matt Matheny era, but no more than eight points have decided the last three games.
 
Men’s Tennis
Elon at South Carolina, Friday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m., Columbia, S.C.
Elon vs. Georgia State, Saturday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m., Columbia, S.C.
 
• Elon will open 2012 dual match play this weekend with two matches on the campus of the University of South Carolina. The Phoenix competed at the Duke Invitational last weekend, facing off against opponents from Duke, North Carolina and William & Mary.
• The Phoenix knocked off then-56th ranked South Carolina, 5-2, in Columbia to open dual play last year. The Gamecocks have already faced two SoCon opponents, defeating Appalachian State and Wofford by scores of 7-0 last weekend.
• Elon is coming off an 18-7 season — the Phoenix won the 2011 Southern Conference regular-season crown.
 
Women’s Basketball (9-9, 5-4)
Elon vs. UNCG, Monday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., Alumni Gym
Elon at Samford, Saturday, Jan. 28, at 3 p.m., Birmingham, Ala.
 
• Elon improved to 5-4 in Southern Conference play last Wednesday with a 51-45 win at Western Carolina, the team's third straight victory.
• Junior Kelsey Evans recorded her 19th career double-double in the win after scoring 14 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Evans also went over the 800-point plateau for her career, as she now sits with 811 career points.
• Junior Ali Ford enters Monday's game against UNCG with 231 career three-pointers -- four shy of breaking Lorretta Lawson's school record of 234. Ford ranks 10th in the nation in three-pointers per game at 3.1 and has hit a Southern Conference-best 55 shots from beyond the arc this season.
 
Women’s Tennis (1-1)
Elon vs. Radford, Friday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m., Blacksburg, Va.
Elon at Virginia Tech, Saturday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m., Blacksburg, Va.
 
• The Phoenix recorded its first win of the season last week after sweeping instate rival North Carolina A&T, 7-0, at the Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center in Greensboro.
• The doubles team of Frida Jansaker and Jordan Johnston sit at 2-0 already this season after a pair of impressive wins. The duo beat the No. 43-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels doubles team of Zoe De Bruycker and Laura Slater in Elon's season opener on Jan. 18 in Chapel Hill. Jansaker and Johnston also captured an 8-2 decision over N.C. A&T's Kenya Colbert and April Burrage this season.
• Following this weekend's matches, Elon returns home for its Feb. 11 home opener versus Gardner-Webb at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.
 
Women’s Track and Field
Elon at UNC Invitational, Friday – Saturday, Jan. 27 – 28, Chapel Hill, N.C.
 
• The Phoenix brought home four titles from the CNU Captain’s Invitational last weekend in the 4x200-meter relay, one-mile run, high jump and shot put.
• Elon’s 4x200-meter relay team, comprised of Bria Bell, Dana Cataldo, Veronica Luedke and Amy Salek, set a new track record of 1:43.15 at the Freeman Center in Newport News, Va.
• The maroon and gold distance runners dominated the one-mile run placing four in the top-10 as Allyson Oram took first with a time of 5:12.28.
• Louise Prevoteau set a new school record in the indoor high jump with a leap of 5'5.75" to take home the title as Elon placed three others in the top 10.
• In the shot put, Charlise Morgan claimed the top spot with a throw of 40'11.75".