A wave of new students packed Schar Center on Aug. 23 for an opening-weekend pep rally and women’s volleyball exhibition against Duke University.

Lines for the event stretched from Lake Mary Nell to the entrance of Schar Center.

For many students, the night was their first opportunity to experience the energy of Elon athletics and their first time inside Schar Center. 

It was also a milestone for Elon volleyball. The event marked the first time Elon women’s volleyball has hosted the annual new student orientation pep rally, according to Vice President of Student Life Jon Dooley.

Inside Schar Center, new students were greeted with festivities, such as Kona Ice snow cones, ice cream, a variety of buffets and a hat-customization station.

“One thing about Elon was that I was looking forward to the food,” freshman Logan Buckley said, laughing. 

The game capped the third day of new student orientation, giving students another opportunity to settle into campus life and meet their classmates.

Alexander Siegel | Elon News Network
Elon University sophnmore setter April Rice sets the ball during their match against Duke University Aug. 23 at Schar Center. This match was the final exhibition match for the Phoenix before their regular season begins.

Freshman Daniel Dudas said the weekend had already helped Elon begin to feel like home.

“It's been going great. From moving day being super quick and easy to all the new student orientation stuff,” Dudas said. “I really feel, even with it being my first three days on campus, that I'm already home, and super happy to be here.”

Once the match began, the new students had plenty to cheer about.

Seniors Caroline Berlekamp and Cameron Lanier recorded key spikes for Elon in the first set, which the Phoenix ultimately lost.

The flashy plays continued in the second set. After a strong dig from junior libero Casey Brower, Lanier leaned over the scorer’s table to keep Elon in the point, extending an eventful rally. Despite the effort, the Phoenix fell 25-21 in the second set.

Duke maintained its momentum in the third. Despite more well-placed spikes from Lanier, the Blue Devils clinched the exhibition with a 25-17 win.

The Phoenix opens its regular season Aug. 28 at the “Quest for the Crown” tournament, hosted by Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.