Elon University's Southern Conference tournament hopes looked bleak.

Trailing two sets to one Friday night, the Phoenix women's volleyball team was one bad set away from ensuring there would be no postseason play. Then something clicked for the Phoenix as the team got it together and took the final two sets from UNC Greensboro.

"They looked like a team that wanted to go to the tournament," coach Mary Tendler said.

A loss by UNCG at home the following night to the College of Charleston meant that all the Phoenix had to do to make the SoCon tournament was win on its Senior Day match against The Citadel Sunday.

After correcting some early mistakes, the team swept The Citadel in three sets, earning a place in the tournament as the North Division's fourth seed.

Last year's division champions didn't set out to be 7-9 in the conference. After winning 11 conference games in 2010, the Phoenix was determined to do more this season. But the Phoenix stumbled along the way, and had to win their last three games and get help just to be in the position they are in now.

"Our goal was higher than to just get to the tournament," Tendler said. "Now we have an opportunity to do that."

Standing in their way will be the College of Charleston. A foe Elon hasn't defeated since 2006, Charleston is the only SoCon team that the Phoenix seniors haven't beaten.

"We didn't show up when we played Charleston (last time)," senior outside hitter/ middle blocker Caroline Lemke said. "It will be exciting to go out and get revenge."

In September, the Cougars dominated Elon, sweeping the Phoenix out of Charleston's gym and not allowing Elon more than 19 points in any set.

"It's extra motivation playing a team you haven't beaten before," said junior libero Ali Deatsch, who broke the Elon Division-I single-season record for most aces in a season (54) against The Citadel. "We already know it's going to be a battle. Why not make it the biggest battle?"

To have any success, though, the Phoenix need to cure their ills away from Alumni Gym. Elon is just 1-7 against conference teams on the road this season. Stranger things have happened in the postseason, though, something Elon's senior leader Lemke is well aware of.

"Once you get to conference, all bets are off," Lemke said.