The Elon University women’s volleyball team finished its shortened spring season with a bitter taste in its mouth. Needing just one victory in its final two regular season matches against College of Charleston to qualify for the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament, the team lost both matches and failed to secure a spot.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team was unable to contest a traditional fall season in 2020, but did complete an abbreviated 10 match regular season in the spring of 2021. Though the team went just 5-5 and did not make the CAA Tournament in the spring, the shortened season allowed players to gain valuable experience and build chemistry on the court in preparation for the fall.
Now, the veteran-laiden team is looking to redeem itself. With a full schedule and a number of key players returning, the team has set lofty expectations for the upcoming fall season.
“They’re very motivated to do well and to push to not only get to the conference tournament but to win the CAA championship,” Head Coach Mary Tendler said. “That’s the end goal.”
Returning stars
The Phoenix return 13 players from last season’s roster, including five players who will compete in either their fourth or fifth seasons. The team brings back many of its leading producers, including its top eleven leaders in kills, top four leaders in digs and four of its top five leaders in blocks.
One key player returning for the Phoenix is defensive anchor Jordan Gower. The junior libero earned second team All-CAA honors last season by racking up 203 digs, the second most in the conference.
Gower said her knowledge of the team’s defensive schemes and determination allows her to get so many digs.
“I stay pretty disciplined on defense and know exactly where I am supposed to be in the defenses we run,” Gower said. “I just try to get the ball up however I can.”
Additionally, two players — Natalie Cummins and Julia Crabtree — are exercising their extra year of athletic eligibility this season, an option granted to all NCAA athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tendler said she “really appreciates” their decision to return.
Last season, outside hitter and Elon University senior Leah Daniel became the first Elon player to win CAA Player of the Year in the program’s Division I history. A prolific offensive player, Daniel recorded 177 kills in just 10 matches during the team’s spring campaign to lead the entire CAA.
“Leah sets and hits for us. We ask a lot from her,” Tendler said. “This past season, she did a great job balancing that and being able to switch from one to the other and we hope that she continues that in her senior year here.”
Tendler equated the setter position in volleyball with a quarterback in football because they call the plays and “have to be a coach on the court.” Clark said the position involves a lot of quick thinking and precision.
“You have to analyze who’s hitting well but you also need to analyze who the blockers are cheating too and how you’re gonna get the blocker to cheat a different way,” Clark said. “It’s about playing strategically and finding the piece that fits the puzzle best.”
While almost all of the Phoenix’s key players from last season are back, there is one important exception - setter Kodi Garcia, who transferred to Stephen F. Austin to complete her fifth year of athletic eligibility.
While Clark no longer has her dynamic setting partner to work with, she believes she can carry the load at setter and fill Garcia’s shoes.
“It’s definitely going to be weird being the veteran setter now because ever since I came in, it has always been me and Kodi, but I think I am definitely more than capable of stepping in and taking that role,” Clark said.
‘Setting’ the scene
Senior setter and co-captain Haylie Clark also returns to the team this season following a stellar junior campaign. Clark was second on the team last season with 183 assists and also ranked second on the team in kills with 87, a testament to her diverse skill set.
“Haylie is a very unique player in that she sets and hits for us. We ask a lot from her,” Tendler said. “This past season, she did a great job balancing that and being able to switch from one to the other and we hope that she continues that in her senior year here.”
Tendler equated the setter position in volleyball with a quarterback in football because they “call the plays” and “have to be a coach on the court.” Clark said the position involves a lot of quick thinking and precision.
“You have to analyze who’s hitting well but you also need to analyze who the blockers are cheating too and how you’re gonna get the blocker to cheat a different way,” Clark said. “It’s about playing strategically and finding the piece that fits the puzzle best.”
While almost all of the Phoenix’s key players from last season are back, there is one important exception - setter Kodi Garcia, who transferred to Stephen F. Austin to complete her fifth year of athletic eligibility.
Garcia led the team in assists in the spring with 193 and ranks fourth all-time in Elon volleyball history with 2,273 career assists, but her impact on the program extends beyond the record book.
“Kodi’s been serving for us since her first year at Elon so it’s going to be weird not seeing her on the court,” Tendler said. “But, her experience as a setter and her competitiveness is definitely something she taught the younger setters.”
While Clark no longer has her dynamic setting partner to work with, she believes she can carry the load at setter and fill Garcia’s shoes.
“It’s definitely going to be weird being the veteran setter now because ever since I came in, it has always been me and Kodi, but I think I am definitely more than capable of stepping in and taking that role,” Clark said.
Return to a full schedule
The Phoenix currently have 26 regular season matches scheduled, including 16 CAA matches. The team’s non-conference schedule includes three Atlantic Coast Conference opponents - Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech.
Last season, the team lost its first two conference matches. Junior libero Jordan Gower said a fast start in CAA play is “extremely important” for the team this season.
“We really need to play even throughout the season and not have a lot of ups and downs,” Gower said. “I think coming out strong in our first conference matches would really give us the confidence and show us that we can hang with these teams in the conference.”
The Phoenix begin the season by participating in the Virginia Tech Invitational in Blacksburg, Virginia. The team will face Toledo and Lehigh on Friday, Aug. 27 before taking on Virginia Tech on Saturday, Aug. 28.
“I hope we get better each match and improve throughout the weekend and hopefully we’ll play our best match against Virginia Tech on that Saturday,” Tendler said.