CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball returns to McAlister Field House this weekend of a pair of conference matches this weekend against Furman and UNCG. The Bulldogs take on Furman Friday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. and UNCG Saturday Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.
 
#BATTLEREADY (ABOUT THE CITADEL)
The Bulldogs are 8-15 overall and 2-8 in the conference going into the weekend after dropping two conference matches on the road last week to Samford and Mercer.
 
The Citadel struggled on offense last week as they were held under double-digit kills in both matches.
 
Junior Sharlissa De Jesus leads the Bulldogs with a total 226 kills on the season and is just 10 away from recording 1,000 total kills in her career for The Citadel.
 
COACHES CORNER
"It's a bit easier scouting a team you've already played earlier in the season," said head coach Dave Zelenock. "Generally, they may try to do some of the same things that helped them win last time, where on our end we need to be the ones making changes. We've made some lineup and system changes since the last time we played these two teams, and it's always a plus playing at home."

THE CITADEL VS OPPONENTS (THE HISTORY)
This weekend in the second meeting this season for the Bulldogs and both teams. The Citadel dropped both matches earlier this year, 1-3 to Furman and 0-3 to UNCG.
 
The 'Dogs are 2-40 overall against the Paladins of Furman and 3-32 against the UNCG Spartans all-time.

SCOUTING THE PALADINS
The Furman Paladins are currently 5-16 on the season with a 5-5 conference record, ranking them fourth in the Southern Conference.
 
The Paladins give up the highest opponent hitting percentage in the conference, allowing the opposition a .228 percentage through 81 total sets played. On the other hand, Furman's defense ranks second in digs, averaging 15.20 per set.
 
Outside hitter Nicole Mack leads Furman, averaging 3.49 kills per set, good for sixth in the conference. She's aided by Courtney Hoffman who averages 2.79 kills per set with a team-high .302 hitting percentage.
 
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
The Spartans of UNCG are 9-15 overall with a 3-7 conference record. Other than a win over The Citadel, UNCG has had wins against Chattanooga and Mercer.
 
As a team, UNCG averages 12.24 kills per set and 11.38 assists per set, both stats rank the Spartans in the top five of the SoCon. The Spartan defense is listed just behind Furman, averaging 14.92 digs per set.
 
Maria Esch and Emily Keilen lead UNCG's offense, averaging 3.55 and 2.67 kills per set. They are aided by setter Gabriela McHugh, who has put up 856 total assists this season, averaging 10.07 per set.

COMING UP
The Bulldogs will host two more matches the following weekend against ETSU and Western Carolina.
  
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