Cullowhee, N.C. Junior Rachel Sanders led the Bulldogs with 10 kills as The Citadel lost a 3-0 decision to Presbyterian Friday afternoon in the first game of the Catamount Clash. The Bulldogs failed to set up a good attack as they only averaged 8.3 set assists per game. This win for the Blue Hose extends their winning streak to eight matches. Presbyterian defeated The Citadel 30-21, 30-17 and 30-18.
In game one, The Citadel fought back and forth with Presbyterian but the Bulldogs couldn't ever get an edge on the Blue Hose. The Bulldogs fought hard to even the score, and had the game in reach at 25-20. However, Presbyterian would put together a 5 point run to close out the game 30-20.
In the second game, The Citadel would really struggle as Presbyterian opened the match with a 9-0 run. The Bulldogs hung in the game, but could never gain any momentum as the Blue Hose took the game 30-17,
The Citadel seemed to have their concentration back as they traded points with Presbyterian in the beginning of the match. The Blue Hose would then muster two 4-0 runs jump out ahead of the Bulldogs 16-9. The Bulldogs would come back with a 3-0 run of their own, but a 9-3 exchange in favor of Presbyterian would seem to put the match away as the Blue Hose finished the game 30-18.
“Since we played Presbyterian before we knew what to expect from them,” said head coach Carolyn Geiger. However, we came out flat and never rebounded. We made too many mistakes, mostly mental, and never took control of the match. When you make 30 hitting errors in a match you make it very difficult to pull out the win.”
The Citadel (1-7) looks ahead to their conference opener tonight, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. when they take on Western Carolina in their second game of the Catamount Clash.
“We'll have to rebound for our first conference match tonight against Western and come out with more fight, more energy and ready to win,” Geiger added.
The Bulldogs will also play two matches tomorrow, Sept. 15 against North Carolina A&T at 10 a.m., and UNC Wilmington at 3 p.m.
For complete coverage of Bulldog Volleyball, visit the official home of The Citadel Athletics at CitadelSports.com.
