ELON, N.C. – Elon University volleyball is back home this weekend as the Phoenix (7-5, 2-0 CAA) hosts Delaware for a pair of conference matches. The teams begin with a 7 p.m match on Saturday, Sept. 25 followed by a 1:30 p.m. start on Sunday, Sept. 26.

COVERAGE
Live stats will be available and both matches will be streamed live on FloSports.

PLAY FOR PAWS
- Saturday marks Elon's Play for Paws match as the team seeks to raise awareness and promote the fostering and adoption of animals from Burlington Animal Services. For more information about Burlington Animal Services and to volunteer, fans can visit www.burlingtonNC.gov/pets.
 
ABOUT THE PHOENIX
- Elon opened conference play at Charleston last weekend, earning a pair of 3-1 wins over the Cougars.
- It marked the second time in the past three seasons that Elon has started league play 2-0. In 2019, the Phoenix began CAA play at home versus Hofstra and Northeastern, defeating the Pride 3-1 on Sept. 27 before earning a five-set victory over the Huskies on Sept. 29. Elon then made it 3-0 with a 3-2 win at Charleston on Oct. 4.
- Entering last Saturday's match just three kills shy of 1,000 for her career, Leah Daniel finished the match with 19.
- The senior from Zionsville, Ind. was selected CAA Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after leading the team with 56 points and 53 kills last week. She posted double-digit kills in all three of Elon's matches and swung cor a .241 hitting percentage. She currently leads the CAA with 4.18 kills per set.
- Entering this weekend, Daniel owns 167 kills on the season and Love is next with 88. Haylie Clark is up to 370 assists, Jenn Krzeminski has served a team-high 13 aces, and Clark and Alex VanWestrienen follow with 11 each. Jordan Gower has tallied 178 digs and Krzeminski leads the team in blocks with 47.
 
THE SERIES
- Delaware is ahead 7-5 in the all-time series, though Elon has won the past three meetings.
- The teams did not meet during the shortened spring 2021 season as the CAA was split into North and South Divisions.
- Elon hosted UD on Oct. 12, 2019, with the Phoenix winning 3-2 thanks to a 15-13 decision in the fifth set.
- UD then hosted the maroon and gold on Nov. 10, 2019, with Elon winning in straight sets.

SCOUTING DELAWARE
- The Blue Hens are 5-6 overall and 0-2 in the CAA after falling to James Madison, 3-2 in both meetings last weekend.
- Delaware received 26 points and was picked to finish tied for sixth in the CAA's Preseason Coaches Poll. Sophomore outside hitter Savannah Seemans landed on the Preseason All-Conference Team.
- UD returned 12 of its 14 players from last year.
- As a team, the Blue Hens lead the league with 2.19 service aces per set and rank third with a .182 opponent hitting percentage.
- Ezgi Basaranlar is first in the CAA with 9.48 assists per set and Seemans leads the conference with 0.62 aces per set.
- Lani Mason owns a team-high 126 kills (3.00/set) and Seemans is close behind her with 115 (2.74/set). Basaranlar is the team's primary setter with 294 assists and Seemans has served a team-best 26 aces. Also owning double-digit aces are Mason (16), Lily Rogers (14) and Katie Turner (14). Turner is at 158 digs (3.76/set), Kirah Johnson has recorded 48 blocks (six solo) and Grace Underwood 35 blocks.

UP NEXT
- Elon returns to Schar Center for a pair of CAA matches versus Delaware on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26.