Ten games into the Southern Conference schedule, the Elon University volleyball team finds itself in a familiar place. With a losing mark against conference foes, the team has to beat Western Carolina University and Appalachian State University this weekend to get back to even in the SoCon.
Almost a month ago, the Phoenix was in this exact situation. Coming off losses to UNC Greensboro and the College of Charleston, Elon was 0-2. That's when wins at home against the Catamounts and Mountaineers helped right a ship that was veering off course.
In order to get back on track this time around, Elon will have to find wins on the road, a task the Phoenix had been unable to accomplish prior to a win against Wofford College Oct. 21.
"I think it's a step in the right direction," said head coach Mary Tendler of the win against Wofford. "I think that'll carry over to next weekend."
After sweeping Wofford in three sets, Furman University showed no mercy the next day against the Phoenix. After winning the first two sets 25-18, the Paladins took the third set, sweeping Elon off of the Furman home court.
"Everyone's disappointed that we lost," said freshman middle blocker Kris Harris, who had 16 kills in the two matches. "It's not frustration. We're just a little disappointed."
Toward the end of September, Elon had almost no problem taking care of Western Carolina, sweeping them on Oct. 21.
It was Appalachian State that gave the Phoenix its toughest match of the weekend. The Phoenix was able to fight back from a one-set deficit and take the match in four. Since then, the Mountaineers have gone 6-1 and vaulted themselves into a first place tie atop the SoCon North standings.
"I think they're going to be hungrier to beat us," junior libero Ali Deatsch said. "They'll have a renewed fire now that we beat them. It'll be a battle."
Few on Elon's roster know the experience of defeating App State firsthand. The last time the Phoenix escaped Boone with a win was 2008, when the current crop of seniors were freshmen. In order to let last month's history repeat itself, the Phoenix will have to make history of its own by reversing its lack of success in Boone.
One advantage the veterans do have is knowledge of the opposing fanbases. They know that, for better or worse, fans in Cullowhee and Boone will show up and will be loud.
"I wouldn't say they're the nicest fans ever," Deatsch said. "There's going to be some heckling going on."
As of Oct. 23, Elon sits in fifth place in the North Division standings, a significant statistic because only the top four make the conference tournament. But right now, the Phoenix players say they aren't worried about it. Instead, they say their top priority is simply taking things one weekend at a time.
"We're working toward a goal," Harris said. "Right now our goal is to get back to .500."
Elon wil return home to play its final four games of the year in Alumni Gym starting Nov. 4.