ELON, N.C. – Elon University Volleyball Head Coach Mary Tendler announced the program's 2023 schedule on Wednesday, June 7. The Phoenix is slated to play 28 matches during the regular season, to include 12 at Schar Center.
 
"The CAA keeps getting stronger; each match will be a challenge," Tendler said. "Having so many conference matches in Schar Center will be an advantage to our young team." 
 
Elon begins its fall 2023 campaign with an exhibition match at East Carolina on Aug.17 at 6 p.m. The following weekend has the Phoenix in Charlotte, N.C. for the Charlotte Invitational on Aug. 25-26. The maroon and gold open the tournament with a 10 a.m. match against Coastal Carolina, then play again that evening against UNC Charlotte at 7 p.m. The Phoenix ends the trip with a tilt against Charleston Southern that Saturday at 1 p.m. The next weekend Elon will head to Spartanburg, S.C. for the Wofford Invitational on Sept. 1-3. The team is slated for a meeting with Georgia State and a match with South Carolina State that Friday before playing the host, Wofford on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Phoenix will then play a match at Duke on Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
 
This year's home opener will pit Elon against Western Carolina in a 6 p.m. match on Sept. 8 at Schar Center to kick off the Phoenix Volley for Unity tournament. Western Carolina and North Carolina Central will play a neutral match Saturday at 4 p.m. The Phoenix will then round out the tournament and its non-conference portion of the schedule against the Eagles on Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Elon opens league play with a pair of 2 p.m. matches at Hofstra on Sept. 16-17 before hosting UNCW on Sept. 23-24 and Northeastern on Sept. 30–Oct. 1. After a trip to Williamsburg, Va. on Oct. 7-8 to play William & Mary, the Phoenix will be back home to host North Carolina A&T Oct. 14-15 with 2 p.m. starts. Elon hits the road again on Oct. 21-22 to take on College of Charleston before returning to Schar Center to play Hampton on Oct. 28-29. Elon travels to Towson on Nov. 4-5, and closes out the regular season back home against Delaware on Nov. 11-12 with a pair of 2 p.m. matches.
 
This year's CAA Championship will be hosted by four-time defending champion Towson on Nov. 16-18 at SECU Arena in Towson, Md. The winner will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Elon has eight returners this fall, including All-CAA Rookie Team member Clara LaRue who averaged 2.33 kills per set last year. Also back are team captains Jordan Gower and Sydney Love. Gower, entering her fifth year, led the CAA in 2022 with 4.57 digs per set and was No. 4 in the league with 439 digs. Love looks to continue her success after leading all CAA outside hitters in blocks (85) and blocks per set (0.81). Elon also welcomes seven newcomers in Caroline Berlekamp, Jessica Parker, Shannon O'Laughlin, Cameron Lanier, Kyla Johnson, Keira Kasten and graduate transfer Abigail Sparkman.
 
"The work that our returners put in over the last 4-5 months on the court and in the weight room has been impressive and will pay off this fall. We welcome a lot of new players, which is very exciting," added Tendler. "Our team will have a new look and the competition for positions will only make us stronger. We can't wait for our first practice on August 8!"