Top-seeded Georgia Southern will face eighth-seeded Elon in the first round of the Southern Conference volleyball tournament at 12:30 p.m. today in Greenville, S.C., according to gseagles.com.
The tournament, hosted by Furman, runs through Sunday in Timmons Arena. The tourney winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. GSU last won the SoCon tourney and earned an NCAA tourney bid in 2010, according to the team’s 2013 online media guide.
The winner of the Eagles-Phoenix match will face the winner of UNC-Greensboro-Appalachian State at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Eagles (25-5 overall, 13-3 in SoCon) won both matches against Elon (16-16, 7-9) this season, topping the Phoenix, 3-0, in Hanner Fieldhouse on Sept. 27, and 3-0 Oct. 12 on the road. The Eagles lead the all-time series, 12-2.
Georgia Southern is coming off two home wins last weekend, defeating Western Carolina, 3-1, Friday night and Appalachian State, 3-0, Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, Elon has lost its last four matches.
According to gseagles.com, several Eagles are ranked near the top of various individual statistical categories.
Kym Coley is second in the league in hitting percentage (.383), while Jamie DeRatt is second in kills (3.67 per set).  Katalin Minnerly tops the SoCon in assists (11.28 per set), Crysten Curry is second in blocks (1.26 per set), and Alexandra Beecher is fourth in digs (4.67 per set).