Despite one loss while hosting the Elon Phoenix Classic Sept. 16-17, the Elon University volleyball team has completed its out of conference schedule and looks to begin its second season: Southern Conference play.
After taking the first two matches of the Elon Phoenix Classic, it looked like the Elon Phoenix might find itself with a 12-3 record after a three-game sweep of Campbell University, North Carolina Central University and Winthrop University. But the team couldn't hold on in its final matchup of the tournament.
In the third set of its match against the Winthrop Eagles, the Phoenix couldn't quite finish perfect for the weekend. Trailing 17-11 at one point, Elon managed to come back and take a 22-20 lead in the set. But three Elon attack errors helped the Eagles go on a 5-0 run to close the game and take the lead in the match.
"I think whenever you put a lot of energy into reducing a deficit like that there's only so much you have in you," head coach Mary Tendler said. "We did a great job of pushing them, but we couldn't quite finish."
In the fourth set, the Phoenix fell behind early as the Eagles took 16 of the game's first 25 points.
While the Phoenix battled back to make it close, it was not enough, and the Eagles took the set and the match.
"I'm really happy that we finished 2-1," junior outside hitter/middle back Carly Ledbetter said. "I mean, obviously, we'd like to finish 3-0. Winthrop was a great team and I felt like we played and had a really strong presence. They run a pretty fast offense, so we caught up to them and I'm really happy with how the team did."
Earlier in the tournament, Elon got another look at Campbell and North Carolina Central — two teams the Phoenix defeated in the Hilton RTP/NCCU Tournament in late August.
While the sets were closer than in the matches three weeks ago, the Phoenix was still able to win in convincing fashion, taking both matches in four sets each.
"It's harder because when you beat a team early in the season and you play them again the pressure is on the team that won because (the other team) wants revenge, so they come at us a little bit harder," Tendler said. "I thought both Campbell and NC Central played really well against us and battled hard and we were lucky to get the win in both of those matches."
Following the tournament, recognition was given to Ledbetter and freshman middle back Kris Harris for their performances during the weekend. Ledbetter and Harris put up 23 and 26 kills, respectively, and were named to the all-tournament team.
SoCon play starts 7 p.m. Friday for Elon, when the team goes on the road to take on UNC Greensboro, and following that, the team will travel to College of Charleston Sunday.
Tournaments like the Elon Phoenix Classic help the Phoenix prepare to take on opponents within the conference, Ledbetter said.
The loss against Winthrop, while disappointing, will help them prepare to face teams like Georgia Southern University, last year's SoCon champs, who run a fast-paced offense, she said.