Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Citadel volleyball team opened the 2017 season by splitting two matches in the Campbell-hosted, Hampton Inn-Holly Springs Invitational on Friday in Buies Creek, N.C.
 
The Bulldogs started the day with a 3-1 victory in Gore Arena over N.C. Central. The Eagles fell in the first set 25-19 before taking the second set 25-22. The Bulldogs then answered by sweeping the last two sets 25-21, 25-15 to close out the match.
 
"Sets one and four we played extremely well and executed very well. Our outsides played great, made very few errors and played smart," said head coach Craig Mosqueda. "Overall we were very solid defensively out digging our opponent by 14."
                                                           
Key impact players included freshman SHARLISSA DE JESUS and senior MORIAH SMITH who earned 19 and 17 kills, respectively. De Jesus had a hot start on her first day competing as a Bulldog, earning her first collegiate double-double with 25 digs and 19 kills.
 
Next, the Bulldogs competed against host Campbell and fell 3-1. The Fighting Camels were fast to win the first two sets 25-15, 25-15. The Bulldogs fought back to win the third set 25-22, but ultimately fell in the fourth set 25-21.
 
Coach Mosqueda later commented, "We had huge production offensively from de Jesus and defensively from Smith. Set three was key for us and was where we demonstrated our true potential."
 
The Bulldogs will continue play on Saturday when they face off against Tennessee Tech at 1:30 p.m. The Golden Eagles defeated N.C. Central 3-0 on Friday during their first match of the tournament.
 
For more information on The Citadel volleyball team, follow @CitadelVB or visit CitadelSports.com.