Sports

SPORTS 9/21/26 8:56pm

Elon men’s soccer eyes return to glory

By Kathan Gandhi

Elon men’s soccer head coach Marc Reeves doesn’t spend much time looking backward. Even after a season that ended with a Coastal Athletic Association regular-season title, a conference tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, the message inside the program has been simple: last year is last year.

SPORTS 9/21/26 12:17am

Elon women’s soccer defeats fiery Campbell squad, 2-0

By Amayah Rogers

Elon women’s soccer hosted the Campbell University Camels at Rudd Field on Sept 20. The Phoenix were looking to get their first conference win of the season. As the game kicked off, both teams came out with intensity. The Phoenix and the Camels wouldn’t allow any breathing room for the opposing side. 

SPORTS 9/21/26 12:02am

Phoenix fall in straight sets to College of Charleston

By Peyton Spencer and Charlie Wood

Elon volleyball played the College of Charleston Sept. 20, losing 0-3 after three close sets at Schar Center. The Phoenix started off the first set strong, leading 4-2 before the College of Charleston built up a big lead. Senior Cameron Lanier halted the Charleston run with a kill that fired up the Elon bench and brought the score to 7-9. As the set progressed, freshman Lindsey Murphy couldn’t be stopped. Murphy had multiple huge digs, including one to keep a long rally alive. Junior Catherine Rucker finished that rally with a massive block to pull the Phoenix back to 11-12. Elon continued to fight. A few points later, Cameron Lanier fired a serve into the Charleston side of the court, bringing the Phoenix back to level at 13-13. 

SPORTS 9/19/26 10:42pm

Phoenix football rebounds against Sacred Heart Pioneers with 24-21 win

By Addison Hinson and Amayah Rogers

The Elon football team kicked off their Coastal Athletic Association home opener against the Sacred Heart University Pioneers on Sept. 19, bringing the fuel at Rhodes Stadium with new energy after last week’s loss against the University of Rhode Island. On the first defensive possession of the half, the Phoenix came out strong and only allowed the Pioneers five plays. As the Phoenix offense took the field, they couldn’t get anything going, leading to a three-and-out. The Pioneers hit the ground running on their second possession, getting all the way to Elon’s 20-yard line. Despite a false start by Sacred Heart graduate offensive lineman Tim Suk, the Phoenix couldn’t get momentum, leading to a touchdown by senior wide receiver Jason Palmieri.

SPORTS 9/17/26 10:51am

Phoenix football looks to accountability to take next step in 2026

By Kathan Gandhi

After two consecutive 6-6 seasons, a 4-4 conference record last season and ranking of third in the Coastal Athletic Association preseason poll, Elon football enters 2026 with a clear goal: improve and win the conference. But to do so, head coach Tony Trisciani believes the Phoenix need to develop the habits that have eluded them in the moments that mattered most.

SPORTS 9/16/26 11:15pm

Elon’s dynamic defender enters senior season with women’s soccer

By Abigail Hines

When Grace Gelhaus pushes downfield from her defensive position, it’s not about what she sees in front of her, but the people she knows are behind her. The senior finished last season as the Coastal Athletic Association’s 2025 Defender of the Year after racking up 1,293 minutes in Elon’s backline, which conceded the fewest goals in the CAA, registering eight shutouts. 

SPORTS 9/15/26 11:58pm

Elon men’s soccer topples Radford in second-straight 3-0 victory

By Kathan Gandhi

Elon men’s soccer remains undefeated at home with a dominant 3-0 win against Radford University on Sept. 15. The Phoenix started early on the attack, with redshirt junior Dominik Renz’s first shot on goal coming within the first three minutes of the game. Renz followed up moments later, firing a shot that was deflected but found its way to senior Jahmir Flowers’ foot. Flowers finished the attack for his team-best fourth goal of the season. Before this year, the forward had only scored four goals in his entire career. 

SPORTS 9/14/26 9:03pm

Elon men’s tennis hires new head coach

By Kathan Gandhi

Elon men’s tennis announced Dennis Smith as its new head coach via social media Sept. 14. Smith comes to Elon after spending four years with North Carolina State University, first as a volunteer assistant in 2022 and then as an assistant coach in 2024. 

SPORTS 9/12/26 9:32pm

Elon women’s volleyball gets back on winning track

By Amayah Rogers

Elon women’s volleyball team beat the University of South Carolina Upstate Spartans 3-1 at Schar Center — closing out a three-game homestand. The Phoenix were hoping to get back into their winning ways after falling to Appalachian State University and Davidson College earlier in the week. Head coach Matt Troy said he wanted his team to start stronger than in the previous games. Junior Anna Sewell got the Phoenix going in the first set as she slammed the ball past two defenders to get Elon on the board, grabbing an early 3-1 lead. As the set continued, the Spartans went on a 4-point run after an Elon ball crashed into the net. 

SPORTS 9/8/26 11:53pm

Elon women’s volleyball falls to App State

By Addison Hinson

Elon women’s volleyball fell to Appalachian State University, 1-3, in a hard-fought game where the Phoenix showed a lot of heart. Elon started off with a strong showing, but the Mountaineers matched their efforts, forcing the Phoenix to dig deep and respond. Elon next plays Davidson College at home at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, in Schar Center. 

SPORTS 9/7/26 4:42pm

Varsity girls flag football takes root in Alamance County

By Kathan Gandhi

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s board of directors voted to approve girls flag football as an official high school sport over the summer, capping a rapid rise for the sport over the last two years. According to Eastern Alamance Athletic Director Brad Costa, the push began around the summer of 2024. ADs from the county met with representatives from the Carolina Panthers, who have invested over $2.5 million into growing the sport statewide over the last four years. 

SPORTS 8/28/26 12:11am

Elon football opens season with dominant 42-7 win over Glenville State

By Kathan Gandhi

As Elon football’s Tony Trisciani ran toward a semi-shirtless group of Phoenix fans celebrating in the stands, the eight-year head coach had one final reason to smile. His team had just opened the season with a 42-7 win over Glenville State University, sending the Phoenix-faithful home — or, in this case, keeping them in the stands — celebrating.

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LIFESTYLE 09/25/2026 8:27pm
David Brooks says to make more friends, develop social connections

David Brooks thinks young adults should date more. The author and former columnist shared this idea to a sold-out audience in Alumni Gym on Sept. 25 as Elon University’s Fall Convocation speaker. Brooks said dating was a significant source of education for his generation. And a lack of dating isn’t the only challenge Generation Z faces when it comes to social connection, according to Brooks. 

NEWS 09/24/2026 5:26pm
NC coastal fish stocks not viable for long term, judge says

North Carolina failed to protect the state’s coastal fisheries, according to a state superior court ruling. None of the 13 state-managed coastal fish stocks are viable for long-term use. Judge Brian Collins ruled in favor of the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina following a six-year lawsuit. According to the court’s ruling, the state mishandled the coastal fish stocks and caused depleted populations of southern flounder, shrimp, speckled trout and more.

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