Elon Volleyball Faces Pivotal CAA Series Against N.C. A&T This Weekend
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Elon University volleyball returns to its home court at Schar Center this weekend, seeking to gain ground in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) standings as they host a two-match series against rival North Carolina A&T on Friday, October 24th, at 3 p.m. and Saturday, October 25th, at 6 p.m. The Phoenix (5-14, 3-5 CAA) will look to capitalize on home-court advantage against the Aggies (9-8, 5-3 CAA).
A Rivalry Renewed
The matchup between Elon and N.C. A&T represents a long-standing rivalry, dating back to 1978. Historically, Elon holds a commanding 33-13 advantage in the series. However, since both programs joined the CAA in 2022, the momentum has shifted, with N.C. A&T securing four consecutive victories. Last season, the Aggies swept the Phoenix in Greensboro, showcasing their dominance in recent encounters.
Bounce Back from Towson
The Phoenix demonstrated resilience last weekend, splitting a challenging series against CAA-leading Towson. Despite a 3-0 loss in the opener, Elon rallied to upset the Tigers in a thrilling 3-2 victory on Saturday, ending Towson’s impressive 18-match winning streak and marking their first win against Towson since 2022. Clara Simmons spearheaded the attack, recording 27 kills across the two matches and averaging 3.38 per set with a .215 hitting percentage. Simrin Carlsen also contributed significantly, adding 21 kills and a team-high 30 digs. Catherine Rucker proved impactful with 16 kills and a .406 hitting percentage, while Kayla Palmer orchestrated the offense with 45 assists, including a career-best 26 in the victory.
Currently, Elon finds itself in a tight race within the CAA standings, tied with Northeastern for 3-5 records, just one game behind sixth place. Towson leads the conference at 9-1, followed closely by Hofstra at 8-2. The Phoenix are hitting .165 as a team, averaging 11.2 kills per set, and holding opponents to a .236 hitting percentage. Simmons leads the team with 2.65 kills per set and 164 total kills, having recently surpassed the 500-career-kill milestone. Carlsen is close behind, tied with Cameron Lanier for second in kills with 143, and ranks 10th in the CAA in digs per set at 3.23. Rucker is a force at the net, ranking eighth in the conference in service aces per set and leading the team with 41 total blocks.
This year’s team boasts a blend of experience and new talent, returning 10 letterwinners and welcoming five newcomers. Lanier, Rucker, and Caroline Berlekamp earned preseason All-CAA recognition, signaling high expectations for the team. The Phoenix returned a significant portion of their offensive production from last season, including 61% of their kills and 62% of their points.
Scouting N.C. A&T: Aggies on a Roll
N.C. A&T enters the weekend with momentum, having swept William & Mary in their most recent CAA series. The Aggies have won five of their last six matches and are averaging 12.6 kills per set with a .202 attack percentage. Sophomore Tyne Ross is a standout performer, leading the CAA in kills per set at 4.51. Junior Mikala Sampson and Zariah Winton also contribute significantly to the Aggies’ attack, while junior setter Leonor Polezzi leads the CAA in assists per set with an impressive average of 10.02. The Aggies are coached by Hal Clifton, who is in his 15th season leading the program.
New Leadership and All-American Talent
This season marks a new chapter for Elon volleyball under the guidance of first-year head coach Matt Troy. Troy brings a decorated resume, having previously led Johns Hopkins to a 151-17 record and the 2019 NCAA Division III national championship. His overall career record stands at 357-96, boasting a .788 win percentage. Adding to the team’s potential is graduate student transfer Simrin Carlsen, a two-time AVCA All-American who previously played under Coach Troy at Johns Hopkins. Carlsen’s experience and proven track record are expected to be invaluable assets for the Phoenix.
Home Court Advantage
Elon will look to leverage the energy of their home crowd at the Schar Center, which seats 5,100 fans. Admission to all Elon volleyball home matches is free.
Looking Ahead
Following this weekend’s series, the Phoenix will travel to face intrastate rival Campbell for another CAA series on October 31st and November 1st.
For the latest updates and coverage of Elon volleyball, fans can follow the team on X (@ElonVB) and Instagram (@ElonVB).
