ELON, N.C. – Every Monday, Phoenix fans can get a look at the week ahead with our “Elon Athletics Weekly Update” feature when we will preview all the week’s upcoming events for our sports teams. “Follow us” on Twitter at @elonphoenix and @elonscores, “Like” Elon Phoenix on Facebook and continue to check elonphoenix.com to stay current on all things Elon Athletics.
Cross Country
Elon at Greater Louisville Classic, Saturday, Oct. 1, Louisville, Ky.
• After a two-week layoff for the majority of both teams, the Elon cross country programs return to competition this Saturday at the Greater Louisville Classic.
• The last time the Phoenix raced as a team came at the eighth annual Elon Invitational on Sept. 10. Both the Elon men’s and women’s harriers swept the field at the meet to capture the team titles.
• Freshman Richie Kasper and sophomore Coralea Geraniotis were selected as the Colonial Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week, respectively, on Sept. 13. Kasper was Elon’s top finisher in the men’s 8K race at the Elon Invitational with a time of 27:07 and was the runner-up overall. Geraniotis took individual medalist honors in the women’s 5K at the Elon Invitational and clocked a time of 18:48 for her first career league weekly honor.
Football (2-2, 1-0)
Inside the Huddle Luncheon, Monday, Sept. 26, at noon, Best Western Plus
Elon Football Live Radio Show, Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m., The Fat Frogg
Elon vs. No. 15/19 Villanova, Saturday, Oct. 1, at 3:30 p.m., Rhodes Stadium (Family Weekend)
• Elon earned the program’s second-ever win over an FCS top-10 program by defeating eighth-ranked William & Mary 27-10 on the road on Saturday night. The only other top-10 victory was a 24-13 decision at sixth-rated Wofford in 2007. Elon’s last win over a ranked opponent was a 42-34 victory at #17 Furman in 2011.
• The Phoenix defense and special teams were key in Saturday’s win. Demetrius Oliver got things started by blocking a punt on the first William & Mary possession. Elon also got three interceptions – one each from Adrian McClendon, Malcolm Galloway and Daniel Reid-Bennett.
• Elon returns home to Rhodes Stadium to host another ranked team in No. 15/19 Villanova Wildcats. This will be the first-ever meeting between Elon and Villanova.
Men’s Golf
Not in competition this week
• Elon will take a two-week break after completing its first two tournaments of the fall at the Golfweek Program Challenge and the Franklin American Mortgage Intercollegiate.
• Charlie May and William Harwood led the way for the Phoenix at the team’s last tournament, as they each finished tied for 45th individually at the FAMC Intercollegiate, Sept. 18-20.
• The maroon and gold returns to the links, Oct. 8-9, at the Tar Heel Invitational, hosted by North Carolina, in Chapel Hill.
Men’s Soccer (4-2-2, 0-0-2)
Elon vs. UNCW, Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m., Rudd Field
Elon at High Point, Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., High Point, N.C.
• After a four-match road trip and 24 days since last playing at home, the Phoenix welcomes UNCW to Rudd Field on Wednesday for its Colonial Athletic Association home opener. Elon then heads to Triad rival High Point for a match on Saturday.
• Elon closed out its road swing with a scoreless draw at James Madison last Saturday, Sept. 24. The draw was Elon’s second of the season after earning a 1-1 result in its CAA-opener at College of Charleston on Sept. 10.
• Keeper Matthew Jegier tied a career-high with seven saves for the Phoenix against the Dukes. The Charlotte, N.C., native also had seven stops in Elon’s NCAA Tournament victory over Winthrop last season in the opening round. The clean sheet was the third of the season for the redshirt sophomore and the 12th overall in his career.
Men’s Tennis
Not in competition this week
• The Phoenix hosted the Elon Fall Invitational this past weekend, which was shorted due to rain on Sunday.
• Salvador Mijares led the way for the Phoenix at the program’s fall tournament, finishing 3-0 in singles and advancing to the finals of the main draw.
• Mario Paccini and Felipe Sarrasague competed at Southern Intercollegiate at Georgia over the weekend. Paccini picked up a signature win against ITA No. 58-ranked Christian Langmo of Miami.
Volleyball (14-4, 1-1)
Elon at Delaware, Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., Newark, Del.
• Elon opened Colonial Athletic Association play over the weekend, falling to James Madison, 3-1, on Friday before claimed a sweep of William & Mary on Sunday.
• Both Kam Terry and Sydney Busa led the maroon and gold last week with 24 kills each to average 3.43 kills per set, while Sydel Curry tallied 65 assists to average 9.29/set.
• The Phoenix plays its first CAA road contest of the season at Delaware on Saturday before completing its road trip at Towson on Monday, Oct. 3.
Women’s Golf
Lady Pirate Intercollegiate, Monday – Tuesday, Sept. 26 – 27, Greenville, N.C.
• The Phoenix is set to compete in its second tournament of the fall season on Monday and Tuesday at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate.
• Heather Munro paced the Phoenix at the Golfweek Program Challenge, Sept. 11-13, to open the fall season. She was Elon’s highest-finishing individual, finishing in a tie for 24th.
• Following the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate, the Phoenix will compete in the Pinehurst Challenge, Oct. 10-11, in Pinehurst, N.C.
Women’s Soccer (5-5-1, 1-1)
Elon vs. South Carolina St., Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m., Rudd Field
Elon at William & Mary, Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m., Williamsburg, Va.
• The Phoenix split its opening weekend of CAA play with a victory over Towson and a loss to James Madison.
• Erin Tanhauser scored a volleyed goal in the first half to give the Phoenix the lead on Friday. After Towson answered with a late goal in regulation, Kendall Ballotti scored the game-winner in double overtime to earn Elon a 2-1 win. The Phoenix dropped its match on Sunday, 3-1, against JMU.
• Elon’s match on Thursday against South Carolina State is its final non-conference match of the season. The maroon and gold will then continue conference play at William & Mary on Sunday.
Women’s Tennis
Elon at the Wake Forest Invitational, Friday – Sunday, Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, Winston-Salem, N.C.
• The Phoenix will compete in its second tournament of the fall at the Wake Forest Invitational this weekend.
• Sophomore Suzanne Zenoni and freshman Alex Koniaev each lead the way with a 3-1 record in singles play this fall. Erica Braschi, Natalia Janowicz, Maria Paraja and Kirsten Ward are all 2-1 in doubles this fall.
• The Wake Forest Invitational will be the last tournament before the ITA Carolina Regionals, Oct. 20-24, in Chapel Hill, N.C.