Elon, N.C. – Elon University volleyball and North Carolina A&T will cohost the Aggie/Phoenix Volley for Unity tournament this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11.
 
On Friday, Florida A&M and UNC Greensboro open the tournament with a 2 p.m. tilt at Schar Center. N.C. A&T will play N.C. Central in Greensboro at 6 p.m. while Elon hosts Florida A&M in its first match of the tournament at 7 p.m. On Saturday, N.C. A&T hosts Florida A&M in Greensboro at 1 p.m. while UNC Greensboro will face N.C. Central at 2 p.m. in Elon. The Phoenix concludes the tournament with a 7 p.m. home match against UNC Greensboro.
 
COVERAGE
 

• Live stats for all matches at the Schar Center will be available (follow links on the Elon Volleyball schedule page by CLICKING HERE).
• All matches at the Schar Center will be streamed live on FloSports.
• For live updates during Elon's matches, follow the Elon Volleyball Twitter account @ElonVB.

 
VOLLEY FOR UNITY
 

• Elon and N.C. A&T have partnered to bring awareness to diversity and equity within their local communities. This weekend's Volley for Unity tournament is to bring awareness and support for the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Alamance County. The Boys & Girls Clubs mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Fans can donate by CLICKING HERE for the fundraising page through Sunday at 5 p.m.

 
PHOENIX FACTS
 

• In its home opener on Tuesday, Elon lost in four sets to Duke at Schar Center. The Phoenix won the second set 26-24 to earn its first set victory against the Blue Devils since 1974, a stretch of time that includes five head-to-head meetings.
• Jordan Gower leads the CAA and ranks No. 5 in the country with 6.36 digs per set. She has three 20-dig performances this season.
• Leah Daniel posted a team-high 14 kills against Duke. The CAA Preseason Player of the Year leads the Phoenix with 98.0 points (3.77 per set) and 88 kills (3.38 per set).
• Sydney Love had eight kills against the Blue Devils and paced the maroon and gold with a team-best .227 hit percentage. Love also leads the Phoenix in blocks this season with 16.0 after posting 4.0 against Duke.
• After posting 25 assists versus Duke, Haylie Clark ranks No. 3 in the CAA in assists (171) and No. 6 in assists per set (6.58). Clark also has eight service aces to lead the maroon and gold.
• In her first career start at libero against Duke, Caroline Doyle racked up career-highs in digs (21) and assists (7). Doyle is second on the team this season with 62 digs.
• As a team, Elon leads the CAA in digs (436) and digs per set (16.77). The Phoenix ranks No. 16 in the country in digs per set.

 
PRESEASON POLL & ALL-CAA TEAM
 

• Elon was selected to finish second in the 2022 CAA Preseason Poll and received three first-place votes. Defending champion Towson ranked first in the poll, earning seven of the 10 first-place votes.
• For the second straight year, Leah Daniel was named as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year. The Zionsville, Ind. native earned 2021 All-CAA First Team honors after ranking first in the CAA in kills (391), second in kills per set (3.87) and second in points per set (4.23) last season.
• Haylie Clark was selected to the Preseason All-CAA Team. The Saint Cloud, Fla. native was named the 2021 CAA Setter of the Year and after finishing second in the league last season in assists (955) and third in assists per set (9.46).
• Jenn Krzeminski was tabbed as an honorable mention to the Preseason All-CAA Team. The Furlong, Pa. native led the conference in hitting percentage (.389) and the team in blocks (114) last season.

 
THE SERIES
 

• Elon won its only encounter against Florida A&M in four sets on Oct. 28, 1997.
• UNC Greensboro leads the all-time series against Elon 36-21. However, the Phoenix has won the last four meetings between the teams, including the last matchup on March 18, 2021, when Elon won in straight sets.

 
SCOUTING FLORIDA A&M
 

• Florida A&M enters the tournament with an 0-7 record after competing in the Kansas State Tournament and FAMU/FSU Tournament to begin the season.
• The Rattlers were picked to finish first in the SWAC Preseason Poll. 
• A&M leads the Southwestern Conference in blocks (51.0) and is No. 2 in the league in kills (274). 
• Dominique Washington ranks No. 3 in the SWAC in kills (77). Nina Sharpton's 204 assists lead the SWAC.
• Brooke Hudson's 130 digs lead the SWAC. Kaila Todd ranks No. 3 in the conference in blocks (21.0).
• The Rattlers are led by fifth-year head coach Gokhan Yilmaz.

 
SCOUTING UNC GREENSBORO
 

• UNC Greensboro holds a 5-2 record entering the tournament and is currently on a two-match winning streak after a pair of home victories against UNC Asheville and Queens.
• Greensboro was tabbed to finish sixth in the Southern Conference Preseason Poll.
• The Spartans lead the Southern Conference in opponent hitting percentage (.153).
• Mya Wood (77) and Taylor Robertson (67) pace the Spartans in kills. Gabriela McHugh leads the team with 232 assists (9.28 per set).
• Elayne Grisbee has 20.0 blocks to lead Greensboro. Ella Voegele leads the team with 88 digs.
• Greensboro is coached Corey Carlin, who is in his ninth season with the program.

 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix begin CAA play with a pair of road matches against North Carolina A&T next Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18 in Greensboro. Both matches will begin at 2 p.m.