ELON, N.C. – Elon University volleyball returns to Schar Center this Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7 for a pair of CAA matches against UNCW. Saturday's match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start and Sunday will begin at 3 p.m.

Live stats will be available for both matches, and fans can watch the action on the Elon Phoenix YouTube page.
 
THE SERIES
- UNCW holds a 24-15 lead in the all-time series and has won the previous three meetings with the Phoenix (0-3, 0-2).
- The Seahawks (0-5, 0-2) took both of the 2019 meetings, winning both matches in four sets. The teams first met in Wilmington, N.C. on Oct. 6 before Elon hosted UNCW on Nov. 1.
 
ABOUT THE PHOENIX
- Elon opened its 2021 campaign at home against VCU, falling to the Rams in four sets. Gabi Croll paced the attack with 15 kills, Leah Daniel and Natalie Cummins both scored nine, and Jenn Krzeminski contributed eight. Kodi Garcia eclipsed 2,800 career assists in the loss, Jordan Gower tallied 23 digs, and Krzeminski and Croll combined for seven blocks.
- The Phoenix then dropped its two CAA matches at William & Mary last Friday and Saturday, Feb. 26-27 in Kaplan Arena. On both days, the maroon and gold fell behind 2-0 early before winning the third set. The Tribe then held on to win both matches, 3-1.
- Haylie Clark posted her first career triple-double in the second match versus W&M. The junior out of Saint Cloud, Fla. finished with 21 assists, 15 digs and 12 kills.
- Elon is averaging 12.3 kills, 9.4 assists, and 0.8 aces per set while hitting for a .217 clip. Defensively, the Phoenix is registering 13.6 digs and 1.3 blocks per set.
- Daniel has been the go-to attacker with the Zionsville, Ind. native owning 53 kills through the teams' three matches. Garcia and Clark are at 50 and 44 assists, respectively. Gower is up to 56 digs this season, while Krzeminski leads the Phoenix with nine blocks.
 
SCOUTING THE SEAHAWKS
- The Seahawks are also looking for their first win of the season.
- UNCW opened its season at Clemson with a pair of matches on Feb. 20. After the team lost the opener in straight sets, they took the Tigers to five sets but came up just short, 20-18.
- UNCW opened CAA play on Feb. 26-27 at James Madison. The Dukes claimed the first match 3-2 before defeating the Seahawks 3-1 the following day.
- The Seahawks are coming off a 3-2 loss at Old Dominion this past Wednesday, March 3. Brynn Montgomery recorded her fourth career triple-double with 26 assists, 12 digs and 10 kills. Kristen Badowski chipped in a career-high 19 kills.
- As a team, the Seahawks are hitting .207 with 11.8 kills, 10.6 assists, and 1.5 service aces per set. On defense, UNCW is averaging 12.6 digs and 1.4 blocks.
- Badowski leads the team with 79.5 points and 71 kills and Montgomery is the primary setter with 127 assists. Montgomery and Annabelle Schall have served eight aces each. On the other side of the net, Montgomery has 53 digs, followed by Jadyn Barry with 45 and Jazzell Mangosing with 43. At the net, Brooke Hanshumaker and Madison Spencer have combined for 21 blocks.

ISABELLA SEMAN NAMED SENIOR CLASS AWARD CANDIDATE
- Earlier this week, Isabella Seman was selected as a candidate for the 2020-21 Senior CLASS Award.
- She is one of 30 NCAA D1 women's volleyball student-athletes in the running for the award.
- An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award was created in 2001 as a unique award that honors NCAA Division I seniors who remain committed to their university and elect to pursue the many rewards that a senior season can bring. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an DI senior and have notable achievements in four C's of community, classroom, character and competition.
- The 30 candidates will be narrowed down to 10 finalists later this month. The official ballot will then be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four areas of excellence.
- The award winner will be announced during the 2020-21 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship in April.

UP NEXT
- Elon continues league play next weekend as the maroon and gold hosts James Madison for a 3 p.m. contest on Sunday, March 14 and a 4 p.m. match on Monday, March 15.