ELON, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team will host the Phoenix Volley for Unity Tournament this Friday-Sunday, Sept. 8-10.
On Friday, Elon opens the tournament with a 6 p.m. tilt at the Schar Center against Western Carolina. The Catamounts and the North Carolina Central Eagles will play in a neutral-site match on Saturday at 4 p.m. On Sunday, the Phoenix concludes the tournament with a 2 p.m. match against NC Central.
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 FloVolleyball.
- For live updates during Elon's matches, follow the Elon Volleyball Twitter account @ElonVB.
VOLLEY FOR UNITY
- Elon has 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.
PHOENIX FACTS
- Jordan Gower continues to lead the CAA in digs (101) and digs per set (4.39) this season. In her career she now totals 1,454 digs ranking her No. 5 in Elon history.
- Jessica Parker paces the Phoenix in assists (117) and service aces (8).
- Cameron Lanier leads the team in kills with 52, followed by Sydney Love with 38.
- Junior middle blocker Lindsey Harris continues to be a force at the net leading the team with 15 blocks.
- The maroon and gold rank No. 3 in the league in digs per set with 14.74.
PRESEASON POLL & ALL-CAA TEAM
- Elon was selected to finish seventh in the 2023 CAA Preseason Poll. Defending champion Towson ranked first in the poll, earning 11 first-place votes.
- Gower was tabbed as an honorable mention to the Preseason All-CAA Team. The Raleigh, N.C. native led the conference in digs per set (4.57) and was No. 4 in digs (439) last season.
- Rising junior Love also was named an All-CAA Preseason Honorable Mention. The Chesapeake, Va. native led all CAA outside hitters in blocks and blocks per set in the 2022 season.
THE SERIES
- Elon leads 21-13 when playing Western Carolina. However, in its last meeting the Catamounts swept the Phoenix 3-0 on Sept. 19, 2014.
- Elon is 29-5 all-time against NC Central. The Phoenix defeated the Eagles 3-0 in the last meeting between the teams on Oct. 5, 2022.
SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA
- Western Carolina is 2-5 after attending the Clemson Invitational in Clemson, S.C.
- The Catamounts were swept by tournament host Clemson, 3-0 to open the tournament. Western Carolina would gain momentum after the loss to beat Green Bay in a close match, 3-2 before getting swept by South Alabama to close the tournament.
- On Tuesday, Sept. 5 the Catamounts swept UNC Asheville in a midweek matchup at home.
- Western Carolina was tabbed to finish fourth in the Southern Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
- Outside hitter, Bailey Hartsough was named to the SoCon Preseason All-Conference Team and has 61 kills so far this season. Hartsough paces the team in digs with 74, averaging 2.96 digs per set.
- Sarah Janourova leads the team in assists with 133 ranking No. 5 in the league. She also leads the team in aces with seven.
- Karen Glover enters her 13th season at the helm of the Catamounts.
SCOUTING NC CENTRAL
- NC Central enters the tournament with a 1-4 record after competing against Gardner-Webb and Campbell.
- The Eagles hosted Gardner Webb winning a tight match 3-2, before falling 3-0 to the Bulldogs the next day on the road.
- NC Central lost to Campbell 3-2 in a midweek matchup in Buies Creek, N.C.
- The Eagles were picked to finish fifth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference this season in the league's preseason poll.
- Emmie Modlin (77) and Kamren Harper (75) pace the Eagles in kills. Bella Dearinger leads the team with 154 assists (6.7 per set).
- Jenelle Mason has 10.0 blocks to lead NC Central. Loren Johnson leads the team with 66 digs.
- NC Central is coached by Jody Brown, who is in his seventh season with the program.
UP NEXT
- The Phoenix begin CAA play with a pair of road matches against Hofstra next Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16-17 in Hempstead, N.Y. Both matches will begin at 1 p.m.
-- ELON --
