ELON, N.C. – Elon University volleyball continues its road swing this Tuesday, Aug. 31 as Duke hosts the Phoenix (1-2) for a 6:30 p.m. match at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

COVERAGE
Live stats will be available, and the match against the Blue Devils (2-0) will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.
 
ABOUT THE PHOENIX
- Elon opened its season at the Virginia Tech Invitational, hosted by the Hokies last Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27-28 at Cassell Coliseum.
- The Phoenix started the tournament with a straight-set loss to Toledo, the first-ever meeting between the two programs, on Friday morning.
- Elon played again that night, earning a four-set victory over Lehigh to even the all-time series at 1-1. Leah Daniel finished with a team-high 11 kills to go along with seven digs and one block assist. Haylie Clark collected 28 assists for the second straight match, Natalie Cummins recorded two blocks, and Jordan Gower just missed double-digit digs with nine.
- Elon concluded the tournament against the Hokies on Saturday. The maroon and gold avoided the sweep with a 25-20 decision in the third set, but the hosts held on with a 25-22 tally in Set Four. Daniel had her best outing of the weekend with 21 kills and added 11 digs for her first double-double of the season. Jenn Krzeminski was next in scoring with nine kills and led the blocking effort with six, Clark collected 42 assists, and Kellyn Trowse contributed a pair of aces. Lily Emlong stepped up with three blocks, Gower finished with 19 digs, and Trowse and Alex VanWestrienen reached 10 digs each.
- Daniel was named Tournament MVP after leading the Phoenix at the Invitational with 47 kills (4.27/set).
 
THE SERIES
- Elon and Duke are meeting for the first time since Sept. 7, 2012, a 3-0 win at home for the Blue Devils that opened the Duke Classic.
- Elon was led in the match by then-freshman outside hitter Megan Gravely with nine kills, followed by then-sophomore middle blocker Kris Harris with seven.
- The Phoenix leads the all-time series, 8-5. However, the Blue Devils have taken the last four meetings and Elon is 0-2 versus Duke since making the jump to Division I. 

SCOUTING DUKE
- Duke is 2-0 after earning a pair of 3-2 wins over Coastal Carolina and Iowa this past Friday and Saturday at the Coastal Carolina Invitational.
- The Blue Devils were picked to finish ninth in the ACC Preseason Coaches' Poll while senior libero/defensive sepcialist and team captain Mackenzie Cole was named to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
- Duke is led by head coach Jolene Nagel, who enters her 23rd season with the Blue Devils.
- Duke returned 11 letterwinners from its 2020 squad. Along with Cole, the Blue Devils have experience in 2020 All-ACC honorees Ade Owokoniran and Payton Schwantz. They are joined by seniors Lily Cooper and Alex Springate, juniors Lizzie Fleming, Gracie Johnson, Camille Nazor and Moorea Wood and sophomores Georgia Stavrinides and Sydney Yap.
- Newcomers include freshmen Ngozi Iloh, Rylie Kadel, Rachel Richardson and Nikki Underwood. Additionally, Duke has a graduate transfer in Taylor, Mackenzie's sister.
- Owokoniran is pacing the attack with 33.5 points (3.35/set) and 30 kills (3.00/set). Close behind her are Fleming with 26 kills (2.60/set) and Johnson with 24 (2.40/set). Springate is the team's go-to setter at 80 assists (8.00/set) and Mackenzie Cole leads the team in serving with seven aces.
- On defense, Mackenzie Cole anchors the back row with 43 digs (4.30/set). Fleming and Owokoniran own 6.0 and 5.0 blocks, respectively.

CLARK REACHES 1,000 CAREER ASSISTS
- Clark entered the season needing eight assists to reach 1,000 in her time as a Phoenix.
- The senior from Saint Cloud, Fla. quickly reached the milestone midway through the opening set vs. the Rockets.
- She currently stands at 1,090 assists entering Tuesday's match at Duke.
- Her 42 assists against the Hokies also marked a new career high.

UP NEXT
- Elon will head to Clinton, S.C. this Friday, Sept. 3 for a 7 p.m. match at Presbyterian. The Phoenix then plays again on Saturday, Sept. 4 in a 7 p.m. match at Furman.