University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Sofia Yaker/UGAAA
Elarton Loves To Compete
September 28, 2026 | Volleyball
Kyla Joyner
UGA Sports Communications
Chloe Elarton has been competing from a young age. The Georgia sophomore's interest in sports didn't come out of nowhere. Her brother and father both played baseball and basketball, and she played basketball and softball before ultimately deciding on volleyball as her sport of choice.
"I kind of wanted to do my own thing, have my own path, and I just liked volleyball the most, honestly," Elarton said. "It was the most team-cohesive sport."
Elarton had a career-high 47 assists in Georgia's 3-2 win over Georgia Tech on Sept. 19, and she's had at least 35 assists in seven of the Bulldogs' 11 matches. She was named SEC Setter of the Week on Sept. 14. The award was Elarton's first of her career, and she was the first Bulldog setter to win the award since Clara Brower on Nov. 27, 2023.
"It's really exciting, you know," she said. "I wouldn't be able to do that without my teammates; I mean, they make it really easy for me to get assists. They make my job super easy, and they just push me to be better every day."
The Colorado native has been elevating her game all season. She recorded her first double-double of the season against No. 14 Purdue on Sept. 2 with 44 assists and 11 digs. She also had double-doubles against Georgia Tech and South Carolina.
"Really working on the defensive aspect of the game, whether that's blocking or digging," said Elarton when asked what she's doing in practice to improve. "We really, really work on that a ton in practice and I think that has stepped up big in my game."
Elarton's not only competitive on the volleyball court, she also competes with herself academically. Elarton is currently pursuing a degree in Biochemical Engineering.
"I want to go into pharmaceutical research and make medicine," she said. "A lot of people in my family have chronic illnesses and stuff like that, and so just knowing I can help people like that when they feel kind of hopeless."
The Bulldogs opened up SEC play last Wednesday with a 3-2 win over South Carolina. Elarton had 46 assists and 17 digs to help the Bulldogs rally from a 2-1 deficit and earn their sixth straight win.
"I think just knowing we don't have to be anyone other than us," she said of entering SEC play. "We have a ton of really good players, and we just work so well as a unit."
Working as a "unit" is important to Elarton. She's very passionate about it. It's one of the reasons she chose volleyball.
"I think it just is so much more meaningful than doing something individually," said Elarton. "Knowing I'm going out there to play for all the people around me just is really important to me."
She's in the midst of her sophomore year, and she's been gaining a lot of confidence on and off the court. Elarton has also been taking other freshmen on the team under her wing to give them guidance.
"I was just in their position a few months ago, so understanding it all feels really new, but helping them go through the learning process," she said.
For her freshman season, everyone was welcoming. There wasn't one standout who made her time better — the whole team contributed.
"Honestly, I can't even name one person," she said. "Everyone on the team is just so helpful. They want everyone to do their best; they want everyone to be successful. There truly isn't a selfish person that's just trying to do it for themselves."
Being on a team has helped Elarton outside of volleyball. She is able to take the skills she has learned from being an athlete and bring them into her everyday life.
"Just being able to work with all different kinds of people. I mean, no one on this team is really from the same place, from the same background. So, learning to compete and trust my teammates when we have all different walks of life really translates into school and day-to-day life," she said.
Since coming here to compete, Elarton has found a new beginning. Coming to Georgia from Colorado was very different. However, after coming to a University of Georgia camp, she fell in love with the university.
"I just loved it. I loved the campus, I loved the coaches, and it really just felt like home right when I stepped on campus," she said.
The Bulldogs are back in action against Arkansas in Stegeman Coliseum on Friday at 7 p.m.
UGA Sports Communications
Chloe Elarton has been competing from a young age. The Georgia sophomore's interest in sports didn't come out of nowhere. Her brother and father both played baseball and basketball, and she played basketball and softball before ultimately deciding on volleyball as her sport of choice.
"I kind of wanted to do my own thing, have my own path, and I just liked volleyball the most, honestly," Elarton said. "It was the most team-cohesive sport."
Elarton had a career-high 47 assists in Georgia's 3-2 win over Georgia Tech on Sept. 19, and she's had at least 35 assists in seven of the Bulldogs' 11 matches. She was named SEC Setter of the Week on Sept. 14. The award was Elarton's first of her career, and she was the first Bulldog setter to win the award since Clara Brower on Nov. 27, 2023.
"It's really exciting, you know," she said. "I wouldn't be able to do that without my teammates; I mean, they make it really easy for me to get assists. They make my job super easy, and they just push me to be better every day."
The Colorado native has been elevating her game all season. She recorded her first double-double of the season against No. 14 Purdue on Sept. 2 with 44 assists and 11 digs. She also had double-doubles against Georgia Tech and South Carolina.
"Really working on the defensive aspect of the game, whether that's blocking or digging," said Elarton when asked what she's doing in practice to improve. "We really, really work on that a ton in practice and I think that has stepped up big in my game."
Elarton's not only competitive on the volleyball court, she also competes with herself academically. Elarton is currently pursuing a degree in Biochemical Engineering.
"I want to go into pharmaceutical research and make medicine," she said. "A lot of people in my family have chronic illnesses and stuff like that, and so just knowing I can help people like that when they feel kind of hopeless."
The Bulldogs opened up SEC play last Wednesday with a 3-2 win over South Carolina. Elarton had 46 assists and 17 digs to help the Bulldogs rally from a 2-1 deficit and earn their sixth straight win.
"I think just knowing we don't have to be anyone other than us," she said of entering SEC play. "We have a ton of really good players, and we just work so well as a unit."
Working as a "unit" is important to Elarton. She's very passionate about it. It's one of the reasons she chose volleyball.
"I think it just is so much more meaningful than doing something individually," said Elarton. "Knowing I'm going out there to play for all the people around me just is really important to me."
She's in the midst of her sophomore year, and she's been gaining a lot of confidence on and off the court. Elarton has also been taking other freshmen on the team under her wing to give them guidance.
"I was just in their position a few months ago, so understanding it all feels really new, but helping them go through the learning process," she said.
For her freshman season, everyone was welcoming. There wasn't one standout who made her time better — the whole team contributed.
"Honestly, I can't even name one person," she said. "Everyone on the team is just so helpful. They want everyone to do their best; they want everyone to be successful. There truly isn't a selfish person that's just trying to do it for themselves."
Being on a team has helped Elarton outside of volleyball. She is able to take the skills she has learned from being an athlete and bring them into her everyday life.
"Just being able to work with all different kinds of people. I mean, no one on this team is really from the same place, from the same background. So, learning to compete and trust my teammates when we have all different walks of life really translates into school and day-to-day life," she said.
Since coming here to compete, Elarton has found a new beginning. Coming to Georgia from Colorado was very different. However, after coming to a University of Georgia camp, she fell in love with the university.
"I just loved it. I loved the campus, I loved the coaches, and it really just felt like home right when I stepped on campus," she said.
The Bulldogs are back in action against Arkansas in Stegeman Coliseum on Friday at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
S
/ VolleyballWednesday, September 23
Saturday, September 19
Tuesday, September 08
Saturday, August 29