ELON – The Elon volleyball team opens the 2026 campaign at the Quest for the Crown Tournament this weekend, playing St. John's, Norfolk State and host Old Dominion during the two-day event at the ODU Volleyball Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
ELON TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 28 – vs. St. John's at 1 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29 – vs. Norfolk State at 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29 – at Old Dominion at 6 p.m.
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SERIES HISTORIES
- St. John's – Elon and St. John's have met twice on the volleyball court entering the tournament. The Red Storm have won both contests against the Phoenix, with the last meeting coming in 2005 in a four-set decision.
- Norfolk State – The Phoenix leads the all-time series against the Spartans, 8-0, with the last meeting coming in 2024. Elon defeated Norfolk State, 3-1, at Schar Center, with then-freshmen Kayla Palmer recording a team-high 17 assists and Catherine Rucker finishing with seven kills and three blocks.
- Old Dominion – Elon and Old Dominion will square off for the first time in series history Saturday.
ELON AT A GLANCE
- The Phoenix is set for its 55th season of volleyball and 28th campaign at the Division I level in 2026.
- Elon retained 11 letterwinners from last season, including several players who started at least one match. The Phoenix also welcomes four first-year athletes into the fold for 2026.
- Elon returns 54% of its kills, 98% of its assists, 66% of its digs and 57% of its points scored from 2025.
- One of the top returners for the Phoenix is senior outside hitter Cameron Lanier. The Chapel Hill native is Elon's returning leader in total points (240.5) and total kills (211). Junior Anna Sewell was the Phoenix's leader in points per set (2.91) and kills per set (2.69).
- Junior middle blocker Catherine Rucker received 2026 Preseason All-CAA honorable mention recognition. The Chapel Hill native posted the second-most kills among Elon returners with 131, averaging 1.46 kills per set. She also led the Phoenix with 30 service aces and 63 total blocks.
- Elon also returns the setter tandem of sophomore April Rice and junior Kayla Palmer. Rice led the Phoenix in total assists with 518, averaging 5.23 assists per set. Palmer ranked second with 399 assists while averaging 4.64 assists per set.
- Defensively, Elon welcomes back two of its top three players in total digs in senior Shannon O'Laughlin and junior Casey Brower. O'Laughlin is the Phoenix's returning leader with 201 digs, while Brower recorded 190. The pair split time at libero last season.
- Head coach Matt Troy begins his second season at the helm of the Phoenix volleyball program. Troy helped lead Elon to its best conference winning percentage since 2021 last season, highlighted by the Phoenix's first road win over perennial CAA power Towson since 2021.
HOME SWEET HOME
- The Phoenix enters its ninth season at Schar Center, the 5,100-seat home of Elon's men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball programs.
- Elon will host 12 matches during the regular season at Schar Center. Admission is free for all fans.
UP NEXT
- Elon travels to UNC Asheville for an in-state matchup Tuesday, Sept. 1. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
STAY POSTED
- For further coverage of Elon volleyball, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonVB) and Instagram (@ElonVB).
-- ELON --
