Sports

---

SPORTS 4/27/25 12:46am

Elon University men’s tennis advances to CAA championship game in dominant fashion

By Kathan Gandhi

Elon University men’s tennis showed out in its semifinal game versus Monmouth University in the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament on April 26, winning 4-2. The Phoenix came in hot, having an 8-2 record in its last 10 games. Elon will now play three-time defending champion University of North Carolina, Wilmington tomorrow, whom it has lost to in the CAA Championship game the last three years in a row. The winner will clinch an automatic bid to play in the NCAA Tournament on May 15. The match will begin at 2 p.m. April 27 at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. 

---

SPORTS 4/26/25 4:03pm

Elon University women’s tennis beats Charleston, advances to CAA Championship

By Miles Hayford

With a mostly home crowd that packed the bleachers of Jimmy Powell Tennis Center, Elon women’s tennis beat the College of Charleston 4-0 in the Coastal Athletic Association Tournament semifinals on April 26. It advances Elon to its second CAA Championship in program history and the first since 2022. Elon will play three-time defending champion William & Mary at 10 a.m. tomorrow April 27 for the championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, a rematch of the 2022 CAA championship. 

---

SPORTS 4/25/25 11:06am

Elon’s newest volleyball head coach looks to build player-coach connections

By Benjamin Berfield

When Matt Troy took the head coaching job for Elon University’s volleyball team, he saw it as an opportunity to grow as a coach. Troy previously hadn’t heard much about Elon’s volleyball program but after watching film of the team, he believed they had potential that could be built upon once the season begins in August. Last year, Elon finished 11-18. While Troy does plan on incorporating a few things such as an up-tempo offense, he isn’t looking to change everything about the team.

---

SPORTS 4/24/25 7:57pm

Elon University men’s basketball star transfers to Indiana University

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s star sophomore Nick Dorn is transferring to Indiana University, he announced on social media on April 24. Dorn was instrumental for the Phoenix these past two years as he made the CAA All-Rookie Team after a stellar freshman year that saw four CAA Rookie of the Week awards. This past season he was second on the team in points per game with an average of 15.2 and also had 3.8 rebounds per game. He was lights out from beyond the arc, leading the team in 3-pointers attempted and in 3-pointers made with 74. 

---

SPORTS 4/19/25 4:15pm

Elon women’s tennis beats William & Mary 4-2 in final regular season match

By Kathan Gandhi

Elon women’s tennis topped the College of William & Mary in its final match of the regular season. The day started with an impressive doubles win from sophomores Simone Bergeron and Mariana Reding. On top of impressive volleys and consistent rallies, Bergeron’s energy, which is often shown with triumphant screams, is a key factor in their success. The pair won 6-4, improving their doubles record to 16-3. Elon now turns its attention to the CAA Tournament, which will be hosted at Elon. The tournament begins on April 25 at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.

---

SPORTS 4/19/25 4:09pm

Elon University women’s lacrosse clinches playoff berth behind dominant second half

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University women’s lacrosse won its penultimate home game in style, clinching a playoff spot against Towson University with a 16-8 victory on April 19. Elon endured a back-and-forth first half before outscoring Towson 10-6 in the second half. It is the team’s fifth win in the last seven games. Elon achieved this feat thanks to redshirt sophomore Ana Lee Vandiver and senior Sammy Fisher, who combined for nine goals, scoring five and four, respectively. Vandiver tied her season high goals with the performance. 

---

SPORTS 4/18/25 10:13am

$6.6 billion bet in first year of legalized sports betting in North Carolina

By Miles Hayford

It’s been 13 months since sports betting was legalized in North Carolina, and the inaugural year was a success for the state and betting operators but led to an increase in gambling addiction. A total of $6.6 billion in bets were placed in the first year, with players winning more than $5.85 billion. The eight authorized sports betting operators — Underdog Sports Wagering, BETMGM, ESPN Bet, Draft Kings, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook and Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise — made more than $713 million in the first year and the state received $128 million in tax revenue.

---

SPORTS 4/15/25 7:41pm

Elon University men’s basketball lands two transfer guards

By Miles Hayford

After losing two of its best offensive players in TK and TJ Simpkins to the transfer portal, Elon University men’s basketball has finally made its first move in the portal. Bryson Cokley, a transfer from George Mason University and Randall Petus II, who played at Northern Kentucky University last year. Acquiring guard play was a crucial need for the Phoenix as it lost two of their best guards in the Simpkins brothers and potentially losing sophomore Nick Dorn who has also recently entered the transfer portal. 

---

SPORTS 4/13/25 9:47pm

Elon University baseball flys high, low against Towson

By Kathan Gandhi

Elon baseball exits its three-game weekend series against Towson University with two more additions to the win column. After heavy rain postponed Elon’s game on Friday, the Phoenix opened the weekend playing a double-header versus the Towson Tigers on Saturday, April 12. The Phoenix started the series with a 10-0 win and a 23-5 loss in a doubleheader. The final game of the series witnessed a 6-4 victory for the Phoenix. Following the series, Elon now has a 13-22 record for the season. Elon plays University of North Carolina, Greensboro  next at 6 p.m. April 15 at Latham Park. 

---

SPORTS 4/12/25 7:05pm

Elon University men’s basketball star transfers to Seton Hall University

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s star TJ Simpkins is transferring to Seton Hall University, according to an announcement on social media April 12. Simpkins was a key aspect of Elon’s offense as he averaged 14.6 points per game with the third most total points on the team. He had an average of 3.8 rebounds per game and the second most total assists with 85. He led the team in steals with 45 and added 11 blocks on the season. Simpkins was impressive against Power Four opponents this year, scoring 18 against North Carolina and 16 against Notre Dame.

---

SPORTS 4/9/25 8:51pm

Elon University men’s basketball star guard transfers to University of Oregon

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s leading scorer in points per game from last season TK Simpkins is transferring to the University of Oregon. Simpkins announced on social media on April 9 that he is transferring. Simpkins was instrumental for the Phoenix this year as he made the All-CAA Second Team by leading the team in points with an average of 16.4 points per game. He was second on the team in 3-pointers with 58 and was third in assists with 70. He shot 36.7% from beyond the arc and 42.3% from the field.

---

SPORTS 4/8/25 10:58pm

Elon baseball falls to top-ranked North Carolina in thrilling, high-scoring game

By Miles Hayford

Elon baseball fell just short of upsetting North Carolina in a high-scoring affair as it lost 12-10 on April 8. It was a grueling, three and half hour affair that saw multiple lead changes throughout the back-and-forth game. It was the second year in a row where Elon lost to North Carolina by two or less runs. Elon hasn’t beaten the Tar Heels since 2010. But Elon put up a valiant effort against the 16th ranked team in the country and one of the best pitching staffs in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

---

SPORTS 4/6/25 4:33pm

Elon University sophomore pitcher throws complete game to cap off series sweep against Charleston

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University softball team continued its torrid stretch over the past month with a 5-1 victory against the College of Charleston on April 6. Elon swept Charleston in a series where it only allowed three runs in three games. It is Elon’s third series sweep in the last 16 games in which it is 13-3. Elon accomplished its sweep thanks to sophomore pitcher Anna Dew, who threw a complete game, striking out six batters while allowing just one hit over five innings. “I always have had the confidence that I could do it." Dew said.

---

SPORTS 4/4/25 9:07pm

Elon University softball beats Charleston in extra innings in top-ranked CAA clash

By Miles Hayford

Elon University softball defeated the College of Charleston 3-2 in an extra innings, walk-off thriller in a battle of the Coastal Athletic Association’s best. The two teams entered the game tied for first place in the CAA as they both boasted a 9-3 conference record, but it was Elon who came out on top after nine grueling innings of play that almost lasted three hours.  Both teams strangely mirrored each other in the first inning with a flurry of baserunners getting on base, but few runs were actually scored. Charleston started the game off hot with a leadoff double, followed by a walk. Sophomore pitcher Lia Miller looked shaky early on, triggering a mound visit from her coaches and her catches, hoping to settle her down and prevent any further damage. After getting one out, Miller walked another, loading the bases. Charleston drove one run in, but Miller got out of the jam, stranding two runners. 

---

SPORTS 4/2/25 9:40pm

Elon University women’s basketball leading scorer transfers to Wake Forest

By Miles Hayford

Elon University women’s basketball star Raven Preston announced on social media April 2 that she is transferring to Wake Forest for the 2025-26 season. Preston, a redshirt sophomore, led the team in scoring this season with 12.3 points per game and also led the team’s effort on the glass with a team-high 8.7 rebounds per game. She was also first in steals and second in assists. Freshman Alyssa Ervin announced on March 31 she will be transferring to Furman next season. Redshirt freshman Ava Leroux and juniors Regina Walton and Hannah Dereje have entered the transfer portal.

---

SPORTS 4/2/25 4:08pm

Senior midfielder breaks career points record, leads Southern Alamance boy's lacrosse past Eastern Alamance

By Evan Bennett

Talan Cook’s journey to becoming Southern Alamance’s all-time points leader began long before his name topped the record books. As a young player, he was already invested in the team's culture, watching his older brother play before joining the team himself. On April 1, Cook’s four-goal performance in a 15-1 win over Eastern Alamance not only led his team to victory but also secured his place in the program’s history as he broke the career points record. Cook reflected on the milestone with a sense of gratitude. 

---

SPORTS 4/2/25 10:09am

Elon athletes turn their names into brands with help from Elon University NIL store

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University student-athletes can now be seen wearing their names not only on the field, but off. The name, image, likeness store empowers student athletes to represent their brand by creating merchandise, such as jerseys and sweatshirts, with $6 per shirt, $8 per crewneck, $10 per hoodie, and $12 per jersey going back to the student athlete. Elon University has recently partnered with the NIL store and has contracted with 86 out of the Elon 503 student-athletes. There are 44 men’s and 42 women’s customized items seen on the Elon NIL website. 

---

SPORTS 3/30/25 6:37pm

Elon football stars hope to play in the NFL

By Miles Hayford

Six players including Chandler Brayboy and Kevin Burkett have declared for the NFL Draft and are hoping to make an NFL roster next season. Burkett excelled in his final year at Elon, earning first team All-CAA honors and being ranked by Pro Football Focus as the top pass protecting offensive lineman in all of FCS Football. Wide receiver and kick returner Chandler Brayboy also has his sights set on the NFL. Nationally recognized, he earned Second Team All-American honors from the Associated Press and was named the Phil Steele FCS Special Teams Player of the Year. 

---

SPORTS 3/29/25 5:22pm

Elon University lacrosse holds off Campbell for 13-10 Senior Day win

By Miles Hayford

Despite a late comeback by Campbell, the Elon University lacrosse team held on to secure a 13-10 Senior Day victory, thanks to hat tricks from both freshman Lillian Austin and redshirt sophomore Ana Lee Vandiver. The win continued a 7-game conference win streak dating back to last season for Elon, the longest in program history. The Phoenix moves to 3-0 in conference play and remain atop the Coastal Athletic Association standings alongside Drexel and Stony Brook. Elon plays next at Delaware on April 4.

---

SPORTS 3/29/25 10:50am

Southeast Alamance girls soccer avenges loss, defeats Northwood

By Evan Bennett

Southeast Alamance High School had one thing on its mind Thursday night: redemption. Following a tough 1-0 loss at Northwood High School two weeks ago, the Stallions approached the conference rematch with a determined mentality, emphasizing physicality and defense. The outcome? A gritty 3-2 win that not only avenged its previous loss but also demonstrated its growth and resiliency. With confidence soaring, the Stallions will aim to build on this momentum when they travel to North Moore for another pivotal conference showdown against the Mustangs on April 1.

---