50 Years Of Women's Intercollegiate Athletics: Great Volleyball Moments

The Elon University Department of Athletics is celebrating the rich 50-year history of women’s intercollegiate athletics throughout the 2021-22 school year. Throughout the year, we will look at some of the great moments in the history of each of our women's sports. While certainly not all-inclusive, today we take a look at nine important moments in volleyball history at Elon. 

Fall 1972

Elon's first volleyball team began play. Led by Kay Yow, the program posted a 20-6 record in its first season of competition.

Fall 1974

Elon volleyball went 31-8 and advanced to the final of the Southern Regionals at Eastern Kentucky.

Fall 1992

Elon went 30-9 overall and 7-0 in the South Atlantic Conference. Under head coach Susan Leonard, the Fightin' Christians won the NAIA District 26 Tournament and the NAIA Bi-District Tournament to advance to the NAIA National Championships in San Diego, Calif. The team included three future Elon Sports Hall of Fame inductees in Priscilla Awkard, Velma Degree and Debbie Hall.

Fall 2009

The Elon volleyball team recorded 23 victories, the most since moving to NCAA Division I play.

November 13, 2010

Elon defeats Western Carolina in three sets to clinch its first Southern Conference North Division title.

August 28, 2018

Elon volleyball played the first collegiate athletic event inside Schar Center, beating North Carolina A&T 3-0 in front of a then-program record 1,465 fans.

March 24, 2021

Elon volleyball secured its first-ever win over James Madison with a 3-1 final. The final home match of the season, the victory capped off a five-match win streak as the Phoenix finished 4-1 at Schar Center.

April 21, 2021

After becoming the first Elon volleyball player to be named conference Player of the Year in Division I history earlier in the month, Leah Daniel was named an All-American Honorable Mention by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) – a first for an Elon volleyball player. She was also the first student-athlete in program history to earn AVCA All-Region honors on April 13.

November 19, 2021

Elon volleyball defeated Hofstra in four sets to advance to the CAA Championship match for the first time in program history. Although the Phoenix dropped a heart-breaking five-setter in the finals, Elon took the next step towards a conference tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.