CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball team won both matches on Saturday to end the Bulldog Invitational, sweeping Savannah State and defeating Charleston Southern in four sets.

The Citadel took the first match over Savannah State in three sets 25-21, 25-8 and 25-23.

The Bulldogs' defense was dominant, racking up 10 blocks while holding the Tigers to a hitting percentage of .032 for the match.

On the offensive side, The Citadel hit .188 and spread the ball around with eight players finishing with at least two kills. Right side hitter Megan Sowell and middle blocker Sarah Dobrich led the team with five kills, each hitting over .300.

Dobrich led the front row pressure with a career high six block assists. The freshman also added six digs and one service ace.

Both setters for the Bulldogs finished in double digit assists. Priscilla Irizarry led the way with 11, while Logan Smith added 10. Libero Samantha Espy led the team with 12 digs.

In set one, The Citadel fell behind early, trailing 12-9 against the visiting Tigers. After tying the match up at 14 apiece, the Bulldogs closed the set with an 11-7 advantage to take the opener 25-21.

The Bulldogs continued the momentum with one of their best sets of the season in set two. The Bulldogs led by scores of 11-1 and 18-2, eventually cruising to the 25-8 set win. The defense was at its best in the middle set, holding the Tigers to a -.290 hitting percentage.

In set three, the Bulldogs got off to another fast start and led 20-12. The Tigers, however, rallied furiously to tie the set 23-23. The Citadel answered with kills from outside hitter Moriah Smith and Logan Smith to take the set and the match.

The Bulldogs finished the tournament with a match against crosstown rival Charleston Southern on Saturday night. In front of a mixed fan base at McAlister Field House, The Citadel came away with a four set victory 21-25, 25-14, 26-24 and 25-17 to advance to 6-9 on the season.

Outside hitter Carla Bruce led the team with 15 kills. Sowell added another 12 with a .333 hitting percentage, 14 digs and three block assists. Dobrich improved on her previous match, finishing with a new career high of nine block assists. Espy tallied 21 digs to lead all players.

The first set began with a rough patch for the Bulldogs as they fell behind 7-1 to the Buccaneers, forcing a quick timeout. The Citadel responded, however, taking nine of the next 12 points to tie the set up at 10 apiece. Charleston Southern pushed in front once again 18-12, but the Bulldogs rallied to a 20-18 deficit before the Buccaneers eventually closed it out 25-21.

After an early standstill at 6-6 in set two, the Bulldogs went on an incredible run of 15 straight points to hold a dominant position at 21-6. The Buccaneers put on a short rally to end the set, but the Bulldogs eventually closed it out 25-14.

The Bulldogs looked well in control to win the third set after taking a 22-14 lead, but the Buccaneers answered with 10 of 12 points to tie the match at 24-24. Charleston Southern used an incredible back-and-forth, 25-rally point to keep their hopes alive during their comeback attempt. The Bulldogs buckled down in the final two points, however, closing it out 26-24 on a Buccaneer error.

In the fourth and final set, the Bulldogs hit a match high .229 from the floor while holding the Buccaneers to .071. With the score tied 14-14, the Bulldogs went on to claim 11 of the final 14 points to take the set 25-17 and the match 3-1.

Dobrich and Espy were selected to the Bulldog Invitational All-Tournament Team. Dobrich finished with 15 kills and an impressive 17 block assists and two solo blocks. Espy racked up 60 digs with just three reception errors and five service aces.

Austin Peay's Cecily Gable was selected tournament most valuable player, leading the Governors to a 4-0 record at the Bulldog Invitational.

The Citadel returns to action on Friday for their first Southern Conference match of the season. They host Mercer at 6 p.m. at McAlister Field House.

For more information on The Citadel volleyball follow @CitadelVB or visit CitadelSports.com.