ELON, N.C. – The Elon University volleyball team revealed its schedule for the 2023 season as announced by Phoenix head coach Mary Tendler on Thurday. Elon is slated to play 29 matches during the regular season, including 14 home games in Schar Center.
 
"After coming off a very productive off-season training period with twelve returning players, we can't wait to start practicing on Robertson Court again on Aug. 8," Tendler said.
 
The Phoenix opens the 2024 campaign with a home exhibition match against East Carolina on Aug. 24. The following weekend Elon travels to Davidson, N.C. for the Wildcat Classic on Aug. 30-31. Elon will open the tournament against tournament host Davidson, then play two games Saturday against East Tennessee State and Marshall. This year's home opener will pit Elon against Gardner-Webb in a mid-week matchup on Sept. 3.
 
The maroon and gold will kick off their homestand with the Phoenix Classic on Sept. 6 against Murray State. Elon will round out the tournament with a 10 a.m. tilt against N.C. Central before facing UNCG that evening at 7 p.m. The Phoenix will close their homestand against Norfolk State on Sept. 10.
 
The following weekend has Elon in Macon, Ga. for the Mercer Invitational on Sept. 13-14. The maroon and gold start the tournament with a contest against Mercer then play again that evening against Presbyterian. The Phoenix ends their trip and nonconference slate against Southern Mississippi on Saturday.
 
Elon opens league play at home against College of Charleston on Sept. 21-22 for their annual Alumni weekend. The Phoenix is on the road the next two weekends at UNCW on Sept. 28-29 and Hampton on Oct. 5-6. The maroon and gold return home on Oct. 12-13 to welcome in-state foe Campbell.
 
Elon hits the road again with a pair of 1 p.m. matches at Stony Brook on Oct. 19-20 before hosting Towson on Oct. 26-27. The maroon and gold head west on I-40 to take on North Carolina A&T on Nov. 2-3 and return home the following weekend to host William & Mary on Nov. 9-10. Elon closes out its regular season on the road against the defending CAA Champions, Delaware, on Nov. 15-16.
 
This year's CAA Championship will be hosted by last year's regular season champion Towson on Nov. 21-23 at SECU Arena in Towson, Md. The winner will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Elon has 12 returners this fall including the team's top three attackers from last season in Sydney Love, Cameron Lanier and Keira Kasten, who all averaged over two kills per set.

Also back are lead blockers Caroline Berlekamp, Lindsey Harris and Kyla Johnson as well as returning Lily Barker, Caroline Doyle, Clara LaRue, Ericka Link, Shannon O'Laughlin and Abigail Sparkman. The Phoenix welcomes five newcomers in Casey Brower, Kayla Palmer, Catherine Rucker, Anna Sewell and graduate transfer Annabelle Schall.
 
"While our team is still young, we will have a much more experienced roster this fall," Tendler said. "Our returners are hungry; they put in the work and are prepared for the tough schedule. The five newcomers have the talent to fight for playing time and provide depth in every position. The CAA will be stronger than last season; we are ready to take on that challenge."