Okafor's post presence too much for Elon
DURHAM — The task of guarding Jahlil Okafor prompted a long, drawn-out series of thoughts for Elon University men’s basketball coach Matt Matheny.
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DURHAM — The task of guarding Jahlil Okafor prompted a long, drawn-out series of thoughts for Elon University men’s basketball coach Matt Matheny.
The distraction of final exams whisked into the past, the Elon University men’s basketball team should have a clear set of eyes heading into Thursday’s game at the University of Missouri.
The Elon University baseball team will face five teams that participated in last year's NCAA Tournament in addition to its inaugural Colonial Athletic Association slate in 2015.
Kevin Blake tapped in a Luke Eddy miss with 0.7 seconds on the clock to give the Elon University men's basketball team a 70-68 victory over the Miami University RedHawks on Sunday, Nov. 30 in Oxford, Ohio.
The Elon University men's basketball team split its two games in Cancun, Mexico as part of the Cancun Challenge. The Phoenix beat Morgan State University in dramatic fashion on Tuesday, Nov. 25 while falling to the University of North Florida on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Behind an 18-point performance by senior guard Zora Stephenson and a 43 percent shooting night, the Elon University women's basketball team flew past the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 67-54 on Friday night, Nov. 22 in Charlotte.
The stakes are higher and the competition is greater, but Luis Vargas has the same mindset entering his final race in an Elon University uniform.
Danielle and Chanelle Smith saw “Phoenix” and instantly thought of Arizona.
For the first time since 2010, the Elon University men’s soccer team will not be playing in the NCAA Tournament. The field of 48 teams was released Monday, and the Phoenix did not receive an at-large bid. Elon made the last three NCAA Tournaments by virtue of winning the Southern Conference Tournament. Last season, the Phoenix advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a victory in penalty kicks against Clemson University at Rudd Field. The decision abruptly ends the careers of Elon’s winningest senior class, which saw 46 victories during the past four years. Among the seniors whose careers are now over is goalkeeper Nathan Dean, who holds the Elon record for career shutouts. He posted nine clean sheets this season, one shy of a program record. Also gone is forward Jason Waterman, a former walk-on who garnered a sense of fame after scoring the winning goal against Clemson in the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Elon lost 2-0 to Northeastern University Nov. 8 in the quarterfinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament, eliminating the Phoenix from consideration for an automatic bid. For that, Elon would have needed to win the CAA Tournament. Instead, sixth-seeded James Madison University, which was picked to finish last in the CAA preseason poll, went on to win the CAA Tournament and lock up the automatic bid. The Dukes topped the University of Delaware 1-0 on Sunday. For its first-round NCAA Tournament match, James Madison will play at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Thursday. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a CAA foe of Elon’s, received an at-large bid and will host Bucknell University on Thursday. The Phoenix handed the Seahawks one of their four losses Oct. 15. It’s the fifth consecutive year that the CAA has sent multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament. The Phoenix went 9-6-4 on the season and went 4-2-1 against the top 50 of the Ratings Percentage Index. Elon was slated at No. 42 in the latest rankings of the RPI. Elon will return eight starters next season, including forward Miguel Salazar, midfielder Caue Da Silva, defender Nathan Diehl, midfielder James Brace and defender Samuel McBride.
Tentative, stagnant and slow are all accurate words to describe the Elon University men’s basketball team’s offense.
The Elon University volleyball team lost its last two matches of the year this past weekend, getting swept by the University of Delaware (25-21, 27-25, 25-14) and falling in four sets to Towson University (25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19).
Despite the overarching theme of what the team has lost around Elon University men’s basketball , there’s a wealth of productive guard play returning in the 2014-2015 season. Three guards who started at least 10 games a year ago and two freshmen who could be looked to for big roles will join an Elon team that lost four 1,000-point scorers to graduation. Three-point specialist junior Tanner Samson leads the pack after averaging 9.4 points per game. He sank the third-most 3-pointers in school history (79) and shot 43.4 percent from long range. Joining him at the off-guard position is senior Kevin Blake, known for his treacherous takes to the rim despite his short stature (listed at a generous 6 feet, 3 inches). Elon went 7-3 in the 10 games Blake started last season. Senior Austin Hamilton will assume the point guard position after averaging 6.2 points per game while making 21 starts a year ago. “We have a lot of quickness at guard, I think more than we had last year,” said senior forward Ryan Winters. “We’re deep. We have a lot of guards that will be able to play this year, including some of the freshmen. We’re going to be able to pressure the ball, get up in people’s faces and make them make mistakes.” Hamilton said he feels more of a leadership role now that he’s a senior and a captain, but the experience with playing point guard gives him some familiarity with it. There’s also lots of chemistry among the three returners. Samson, Blake and Hamilton each ranked among Elon’s top five in steals last season, combining for 67. “On the defensive end, we’ll definitely pressure the ball more,” Hamilton said. “We’ll look to trap, full-court, half-court. We’ve got so many athletes that can fly around and get steals and run-out dunks.” Elon also returns sophomore guard Luke Eddy, who appeared in 22 games last year. His 23-point performance against Canisius College Nov. 19 was the highlight of his campaign. New to the Phoenix are freshmen Dmitri Thompson and Elijah Bryant, both of whom come off impressive prep careers. Elon head coach Matt Matheny said both will be seeing considerable playing time early in the season. “The depth on this team is a great thing to have,” Blake said. “Having a lot of bodies is always great. Competing for a spot is always great. You know you’re going to have someone play their best in practice because they’re competing with someone.” As for how Matheny will manage the depth, he’s not quite sure yet. “I’m not sure how it’s going to play out,” Matheny said. “It’s a good challenge to have. I do think we have great depth in our guards. College basketball is a guard game. I think we have a lot of weapons.” On the contrary, Elon has a lot of work to do in the frontcourt. The Phoenix returns three forwards, Winters, junior Tony Sabato and sophomore Brian Dawkins, but they combine for just one start. Elon’s guards will have to drive more often and contend for rebounds on every play. “We don’t have Jesse Branson,” Matheny said, referencing Elon’s all-time leading rebounder. “We have to rebound as a team. Guards have to stick their nose in. Guard rebounds ignite the break. This team will have to rely on guard rebounds.” The Phoenix is sticking to its motion offense with an emphasis on increasing its speed, thanks to the depth it has. Don’t be surprised to see some three-guard sets, even with the two freshmen, on the court at any given time. “We can really run this year,” Samson said. “With a lot of subs on the bench and a lot of good players that can play a lot of minutes, we’ll be running as hard as we can. Pushing the ball will be a lot of fun.”
The Elon University volleyball team couldn't get much going on the attacking end during a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-21) loss to College of Charleston on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Charleston, S.C.
The Elon University volleyball team had trouble attacking the University of North Carolina at Wilmington's net defense on Wednesday, Nov. 5 in a 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16) loss to the Seahawks in Wilmington.
There’s a beach on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island O’ahu, not far from Honolulu, where Kayla Agae’s mother used to tell her and her sisters not to go past a certain marker.
Elon University alumnus and former men’s basketball standout Sebastian Koch was selected in the NBA D-League Draft Saturday. Koch was taken by the Delaware 87ers with the 35th overall pick. The 87ers play their home games at the Bob Carpenter Center on the campus of the University of Delaware. They’re an affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. Koch, who graduated from Elon this past spring, is one of 17 players competing for 10 spots on the team’s roster. Training camp began Monday. Koch scored 1,120 points in his career at Elon, downing 242 3-pointers, a tally that ranks third in school history. He was a Second Team All-Southern Conference pick last year, when he averaged 11.7 points per game. Koch is one of three players from the 2014 men’s basketball class to be playing professionally, joining Ryley Beaumont — BK Nova Hut Ostrava basketball club in the Czech Republic — and Lucas Troutman — Club Baloncesto Peñas Huesca in Spain.
After nearly five sets of back-and-forth action filled with strong hits, setters dumping the ball and recurring runs, it all came down to an indecisive whirlwind of confusion at Alumni Gym.
The crowds had cleared out, the opponent was about to leave and basketball hoops were already set up in Alumni Gym. And the Elon University volleyball team was still in its locker room. Halfway through the conference season and still without a victory, some self-evaluation was needed as the Phoenix saw its losing streak increase to nine after a three-set loss to College of Charleston. “Starting the second half, we’re going to be seeing teams for a second time,” said Elon head coach Mary Tendler. “We had to re-establish some goals. Obviously, we’re not happy about being 0-8 after the first half. The goal is to be the most improved team in the second half.” Elon is in the midst of its first season in the Colonial Athletic Association, a step up from its old home in the Southern Conference. The CAA has provided a steeper challenge than anticipated, and the Phoenix knows it. “We are fully aware [of being winless in the CAA],” Tendler said. “Every game, we focus on improving. We’ve gotten players healthy in the last couple weeks. We’re gelling together and having, individually, some big nights. We also need more of a team effort moving forward and a little more consistency.” Elon last won Sept. 23 at North Carolina Central University. What’s now become an 11-game losing streak began Sept. 26 as the team began CAA play against Hofstra University. After losing its first four conference games, Elon lost in three sets on the road Oct. 7 by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a former SoCon rival. During this losing streak, Elon has been swept five times and has only gone to five sets once — Oct. 24 at Northeastern University. In CAA-only stats, Elon ranks at the bottom of the conference in hitting percentage, opponent hitting percentage, assists and kills. So, there’s a lot of work to be done. “It’s a little bit of everything,” said sophomore middle blocker Ally Karle. “We’re working on slowing down left sides coming at us, which would definitely be key. But there’s not one specific spot in our game [that] is worse than others. Altogether, we need a team effort.” But that doesn’t mean the team hasn’t seen some high points along the way. Of the 33 sets Elon has lost during the losing streak, 12 have been decided by three points or less. The Phoenix dropped the first two sets against Northeastern Oct. 24 but rallied to win the third and fourth to force a decisive fifth set, which the Huskies won 15-12. Elon has been in most of its sets but just can’t find a way to finish. “We’re always neck and neck with them up until the end,” said junior outside hitter Megan Gravley. “We need to focus on being mentally tough throughout the end and the entire match. We have the skills, we have the personnel. It’s mental — we have to finish the sets.” The second half of conference play should help a bit with the team’s mentality. With the way CAA play is set up, each team plays everybody twice — once at home and once on the road. Elon has already played all eight CAA teams. At the start of the conference season, Elon’s lack of experience playing many of the CAA teams was a disadvantage. Now familiarity could help the Phoenix as it searches for its first victory in the league. “It helps with treating them like a rival,” said senior middle blocker Kris Harris. “Now we’ve seen everyone once, so we’re able to know that a person always hits the line or always hits cross. We pick up on their tendencies.” Karle said the team’s mindset for the second half of CAA play is simple: “Let’s get ‘em. This is our second chance. Let’s ball out.” There’s a lot to be done, and the CAA opponents won’t back down when they see Elon. Regardless, Tendler has seen a lot of positives from her team during this losing streak and has learned one important thing about her players. “They have a great attitude,” she said. “We’re on a long losing streak, yet they come to practice every day ready to go. To me, that’s very impressive. It shows the character they have.”
Casey Jones hits. That’s what he does, and that’s what he’s good at. He hit a whopping .418 last season en route to Southern Conference Player of the Year honors. So when the Elon University senior trotted out to the mound during the baseball team’s Fall World Series, it prompted some double takes. “I told Coach [Mike Kennedy] I could do it if we need guys to do it,” Jones said. “We’re a little bit lower with pitchers on our staff this year. He gave me the fall to do it, and I just went for it.” Jones is one of multiple players who are experimenting with playing a different position this fall as the Phoenix preps for its season, which begins mid-February. Last year, Jones played mostly at first base and in left field but also saw time at third base and second base. He said he hadn’t pitched since his junior year of high school, but he came in and struck out two batters in 2 2/3 innings while using a sidearm throwing motion during one game of Elon’s Fall World Series. “I like playing everywhere,” Jones said. “It’s fun coming out every day, seeing where I’m at on the lineup card.” But don’t expect to see Jones starting on the mound on Friday nights once the season starts, Kennedy said. “He probably won’t be out there much,” Kennedy said. “He’s played around with that a ton since he’s been here. He knows his responsibility — he’s going to hit in the middle of the order, and if [pitching] gets in the way of this, he won’t do that.” The fall provides an opportunity to give all Elon baseball players some options and see who works best where. Sophomore Nick Zammarelli has played all fall in left field, where he saw some action this summer playing on a team in his home state of Rhode Island. Zammarelli played mostly third base last season for Elon, while appearing in left one game because of injuries. Junior Joey Tomko has been playing a lot at third base after coming back from an injury that caused him to miss all of last season. “Every intrasquad we play, [Zammarelli’s] out there [in left field],” Kennedy said. “We’re not as worried about third base. He’ll probably play there some, but he’s played there his whole life. The goal was to get him as many reps out left as we possibly could, and he’s doing OK out there.” Zammarelli started 43 games in 2014 and hit .284 with 22 runs batted in. He said it doesn’t matter to him where he plays in the field. “I just want to hit, to be honest,” he said. “[The versatility] shows what we have, and it’s something special.” The Phoenix has four months to figure it all out before it counts. But these scrimmages and practices in the fall are valuable for creating the team’s image. “We’re trying to get the best lineup we can out on the field,” Kennedy said.
The Elon University volleyball team was on the brink of snapping a nine-game losing streak and winning its first Colonial Athletic Association match, but the Northeastern University Huskies came back alive in the fifth set to fend off the upstart Phoenix 3-2 (26-24, 25-18, 22-25, 17-25, 15-12) on Friday, Oct. 24 in Boston.