Last year, the Elon Phoenix volleyball team started its Southern Conference schedule 2-0 on its way to winning the SoCon North Division crown.
This year, the team started 0-2 in conference play and looks to rebound to defend its division title.
Trailing the match by two sets early Sept. 23 against UNC Greensboro Spartans, the Phoenix rallied back to send it to a fifth and final set. But in that decisive set, the Spartans got out to an 11-5 lead, took all the momentum the Phoenix had built and didn't look back, winning the set 15-7 and taking the match.
"We had all the momentum," coach Mary Tendler said. "Volleyball is a game that goes back and forth unlike any other sport. They just got hot at the right time."
Against College of Charlestonon Sunday, the Cougars started hot and never let up. Charleston got out to a 16-8 lead in the first set en route to sweeping the Phoenix in three sets by a convincing 25-15, 25-11, 25-19 score.
"I definitely don't think they're a better team," said senior right side hitter Traci Stewart. "They just got the better of us today."
Last year, the Phoenix started 2-0 in conference and won five of its first six SoCon games leading to an 11-5 record. This year, the team will have to fight from behind.
"We are the North Division champions," junior outside hitter/middle back Carly Ledbetter said. "We have a target on our back and teams want to beat us."
Fortunately for the Phoenix, the conference year is young and it still has time to show that it can compete.
"The good thing is we do have 14 matches left," Tendler said. "The conference championship isn't won or lost in the first weekend."
This weekend, the Phoenix has its first conference home matches of the season when Elon takes on Western Carolina University and Appalachian State University. While the season is young, the team would like to get on the winning ledger soon.
"Every game is a must-win for us," Ledbetter said.
Elon faces Western Carolina Friday and looks to pick up its first win in the conference. Western Carolina is 1-1 in the conference, fresh off a win against Tennessee-Chattanooga and a loss against Samford University. But the Catamounts, who lost their match a year ago against the Phoenix, struggled throughout the nonconference schedule and their overall record sits at 6-11.
Saturday, Elon will host Appalachian State, who beat the Phoenix in Boone last year and are 2-0 in the conference this season after beating Samford and Chattanooga. Overall, Appalachian State has a five-game win streak that includes a win over Wake Forest. Through hard work and learning from its mistakes, the Phoenix looks to get back to .500 in conference play after this weekend.