Cougars Open CAA Play Against Elon This Weekend

Friday, September 17

Charleston, S.C.

6:00 PM

College of Charleston

Elon

9/16/2021 3:14:00 PM | Volleyball

Elon Match Notes (PDF)

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CHARLESTON, S.C. --- With non-conference play now in the rear view, the College of Charleston volleyball team will open Colonial Athletic Association play this weekend when the Cougars welcome the Elon Phoenix to TD Arena for two matches. The Cougars and Phoenix will take the court on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.

Charleston carries a 7-4 record and a three-match winning streak in CAA play after defeating Campbell, Florida A&M and Davidson over the weekend to claim the CofC Classic championship. Elon is 5-5 on the season following a straight-set setback to North Carolina on Tuesday.

QUICK SETS

Charleston's defense turned in several stellar performances over the weekend averaging more than 17 digs and two blocks per set while holding its opponents to a .152 hitting percentage. The Cougars currently rank fourth in the CAA in opponent hitting percentage (.183) and digs per set (14.91).
Freshman Emma Appleman stepped into the primary setter role on Saturday and had the Cougars' offense humming for the final three matches of the weekend. The Guilford, Conn. native averaged 11.67 assists and 2.58 digs per set in that span while helping the Cougars average 14.25 kills per frame in a trio of wins over Campbell, Florida A&M and Davidson. For her efforts, Appleman was named the CAA Rookie of the Week.
Senior Molly Russell put together the best weekend of her career at the CofC Classic, averaging 2.81 kills and 0.63 blocks per set while attacking at a blistering .434 clip to earn a spot on the all-tournament team. The 6-foot-1 middle blocker reached double-digits in kills in each of the Cougars' three wins including a career-high 15 against Campbell on Saturday.
Gabi Bailey paced the Cougar attack with a team-best 3.38 kills per set to earn CofC Classic Tournament MVP honors. The junior outside hitter posted a trio of double-doubles and put down at least 12 kills in each match.
Sammy Campion enjoyed another superb weekend in the back row helping the Cougars to three four-set victories and the CofC Classic championship. The sophomore libero averaged 5.33 digs per set with 22 digs against Campbell on Saturday and 23 against Davidson on Sunday.
Redshirt junior Claire Campbell has provided a steady presence in the middle for the Cougars this season, entering CAA play averaging 2.02 kills per set while ranking ninth in the conference in hitting percentage (.330).

SCOUTING THE PHOENIX

Elon carries a 5-5 overall record into conference play following sweeps of UNC Asheville and Mercer ahead of a straight-set loss to North Carolina.
The Phoenix rank fourth in the CAA in kills (12.28) and fifth in hitting percentage (.219).
Preseason CAA Player of the Year Leah Daniel paces the league with an average of 3.94 kills per set.
Haylie Clark drives the offense averaging 9.09 assists per set while also posting 1.69 digs per frame.
Jenn Krzeminski paces the blocking corps with an average of 1.13 stuffs per set.
Jordan Gower leads the back row with a clip of 4.16 digs per frame.

QUOTABLE
"It has been a good non-conference season. I feel we have learned a lot about our team these first few weeks. I am definitely looking to take what we have learned into this weekend's CAA opener with Elon. It will be a tough challenge playing the same team on back-to-back nights but this group is well tested and ready." – head coach Jason Kepner

FAN INFO

Admission is free of charge for all College of Charleston volleyball matches at TD Arena.
Gates will open one hour prior to first serve of the opening match each day.
College of Charleston's clear bag policy is in effect for all matches played at TD Arena this fall. The full policy can be found here.
College of Charleston has instituted a campus-wide policy mandating masks covering an individual's nose and mouth be worn at all times (unless actively eating or drinking) in public areas of all campus buildings.
There is no designated general parking area for games at TD Arena. There are various parking garages and paid lots in the vicinity of TD Arena that all spectators can utilize.
Alcohol will be available for purchase at all CofC volleyball matches this fall with last call prior to the third set of the final match each day.