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The Citadel Athletics

The Citadel Athletics | The Military College of South Carolina
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Molly Johnson/The Citadel

Volleyball

Volleyball Opens Season at Mercer

LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball team open's the 2020 season Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. match at Mercer. The match will be carried live on the SoCon Digital Network.
 
"We are really excited to be able to not only play, but play one of the top teams in our conference," said head coach Dave Zelenock. "This match will help us see where we are at and help shape our plans for training in the off season so we can better prepare for the SoCon season in the spring. Mercer is a really athletic and physical team who plays an exciting style of play, so we need to come out and play very disciplined so we can come out of there with a win."
 
The Bulldogs have been trending upward the past few seasons and enter the year with experience throughout the lineup. The opening-day lineup will feature four seniors, all who have seen significant action throughout their careers.
 
The offense will run through senior outside hitters Sharlissa de Jesus and Mellanie King. The duo combined for 642 kills a season ago.
 
Entering her senior season, de Jesus ranks fourth on the school's all-time list with 1,095 kills. She is just one of five players to reach 1,000 digs in her career. King enters the year ranked 14th on the all-time list with 797 kills.
 
Sophomore Makaya Middleton will start opposite de Jesus and King. Middleton put together a great freshman campaign where she ranked third on the team with 207 kills and 43 blocks.
 
The offense is set up by senior setter Megan Fuhr. She has handed out 2,610 assists in her career, ranking fourth on the school's all-time list. Her 7.37 assists per set rank third all-time at The Citadel.
 
Junior Maya Elassal and sophomore Maddy Cardenas will get the starting nod in the middle. Cardenas had a big freshman season with 187 kills and 63 blocks.
 
Senior Emma Strong will get the start at libero. Junior Faith Justice and sophomore Kenzie Kellerman will see significant time in the back row.
 
The Bulldogs continue their road swing with a pair of ACC matches on Sept. 17-18.The Citadel will take on Virginia Tech on Thursday at 4 p.m. and Clemson on Friday at 6 p.m. Both matches will air on the ACC Network.
 
For more information and score updates on The Citadel volleyball team, please visit CitadelSports.com or follow @CitadelVB on Twitter and @CitadelVolleyball on Instagram.
 
Membership in The Citadel Brigadier Foundation is open to alumni and friends of The Citadel who are interested in supporting Bulldog athletics. By joining, you provide annual charitable contributions that fund scholarships for cadet-student-athletes.  Supporters interested in joining TCBF or for more information, please click HERE.
 
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Players Mentioned

Sharlissa de Jesus

#11 Sharlissa de Jesus

OH
5' 9"
Junior
Maya Elassal

#6 Maya Elassal

MB
6' 0"
Sophomore
Megan Fuhr

#9 Megan Fuhr

S
5' 7"
Junior
Faith Justice

#17 Faith Justice

DS/L
5' 6"
Sophomore
Mellanie King

#2 Mellanie King

OH
5' 10"
Junior
Emma Strong

#7 Emma Strong

L/DS
5' 9"
Junior
Makaya Middleton

#4 Makaya Middleton

OPP
5' 9"
Freshman
Kenzie Kellerman

#21 Kenzie Kellerman

L
4' 11"
Freshman
Maddy Cardenas

#25 Maddy Cardenas

MB
6' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Sharlissa de Jesus

#11 Sharlissa de Jesus

5' 9"
Junior
OH
Maya Elassal

#6 Maya Elassal

6' 0"
Sophomore
MB
Megan Fuhr

#9 Megan Fuhr

5' 7"
Junior
S
Faith Justice

#17 Faith Justice

5' 6"
Sophomore
DS/L
Mellanie King

#2 Mellanie King

5' 10"
Junior
OH
Emma Strong

#7 Emma Strong

5' 9"
Junior
L/DS
Makaya Middleton

#4 Makaya Middleton

5' 9"
Freshman
OPP
Kenzie Kellerman

#21 Kenzie Kellerman

4' 11"
Freshman
L
Maddy Cardenas

#25 Maddy Cardenas

6' 2"
Freshman
MB

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