CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Citadel volleyball went toe-to-toe with Virginia Friday night in a hard fought 3-0 (20-25, 21-25, 23-25) defeat inside Memorial Gym.

MATCH INFORMATION
Score: The Citadel 0, Virginia 3
Records: The Citadel (0-3), Virginia (1-0)
Location: Charlottesville, Va. (Memorial Gym)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bulldogs got off to a strong start as Mellanie King collected three kills to give The Citadel the early 11-4 advantage.
• The Cavaliers answered back with a 5-0 run of their own to force the Bulldogs into a timeout.
• King put an end to the run with her fourth kill of the set, but a 6-0 run from UVA gave them the lead.
• The Bulldogs were able to stay within three points with a kill from Sharlissa de Jesus, but UVA was able to withstand the charge for the set win.
• The Citadel came out strong again in the second set as a pair of kills from King and a block from de Jesus and Alicia Roberts gave the Bulldogs the 4-2 advantage.
• UVA rallied to take the lead, but King teamed up with Gina Delancey for a block and followed it with another kill to tie the set 8-8.
• The Cavaliers opened up a three-point lead, but three-straight attack errors tied the set 14-14.
• The Bulldogs used a 3-0 run later in the set to open an 18-16 advantage.
• The teams traded points and Delancey tied the set, 21-21, with her fourth kill of the match.
• Unfortunately, the Cavaliers rattled off the next four points and took the set.
• The third set was a back-and-forth affair as neither team was able to open a lead large than two points until a de Jesus ace gave the Bulldogs a 13-10 advantage.
• After the set was tied twice, a pair of errors from UVA and another kill from de Jesus gave The Citadel a 21-18 advantage.
• UVA went on a 4-1 run to tie the match before the Bulldogs regained the lead, 23-22.
• The Cavaliers got a pair of blocks to take the lead and the set.
   

BY THE NUMBERS

• Mellanie King recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs.
• Sharlissa de Jesus added eight kills and 10 digs. She also added three service aces.
• Kenzie Kellerman led the team with 14 digs.
• Alicia Roberts posted three kills and three blocks in her first start of the season.
• Megan Fuhr handed out 30 assists and registered eight digs.

 
QUOTABLES FROM COACH ZELENOCK
"Going into the match tonight, I just reminded them about our expectations on how aggressive they should be in every aspect of the game. I told them I expected them to miss double the serves if they are truly going as hard as they can because those mistakes are going to happen. There is no room to be timid against Power 5 teams. You commit to something and go at it. So, when we got blocked straight down, we just smiled and said 'alright we are coming again,' and that is what we did all night."
 
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs play their final match of the fall as they welcome Mercer to McAlister Field House on Oct. 1. First serve is set for 6 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN+.