GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Citadel volleyball overcame a two-set deficit to knock off league-leading UNCG, 3-2 (20-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-22, 16-14), Friday night inside Fleming Gymnasium.
Game Information
Score: The Citadel 3, UNCG 2
Records: The Citadel (8-5, 4-3), UNCG (17-4, 6-2)
Location: Fleming Gymnasium (Greensboro, North Carolina)
Series: UNCG leads 32-7
How it Happened
- UNCG got out to a quick start with back-to-back kills.
- The Bulldogs were able to tie the set, 4-4, after a kill from Sharlissa de Jesus and a service ace from Faith Justice.
- The teams would exchange points for a long stretch, finally settling at a 19-19 tie.
- UNCG then went on a 6-1 run to close out the set.
- After the Bulldogs opened the second set with a kill from de Jesus, the Spartans went on a run to take a 12-4 advantage.
- The Bulldogs used a 5-0 run to pull within three points, but UNCG was able to hold off the Bulldogs and take a 2-0 lead.
- The Citadel took advantage of the break and started set by three with three-straight points. Kills from Makaya Middleton and Ali Ruffin, along with an error from UNCG, led to the lead.
- The Bulldogs were able to maintain the advantage throughout the set, and took the set by scoring the final four points.
- Ruffin had a pair of kills during the clinching run, and also teamed up with Gina Delancey for a block.
- Delancey teamed up with Belle Hogan for the second block to close out the set.
- The Citadel got off to a slow start in the fourth set before battling back to tie the set.
- UNCG looked to take control as they opened a 19-16 advantage, but the Bulldogs rattled off five of the next six points to take a 21-20 lead.
- Two kills from de Jesus, and a block from Middleton and Maya Elassal put the Bulldogs at set point.
- A serve into the net from the Spartans ended the set.
- The fifth set saw both teams take leads early. A kill from de Jesus tied the final set, 13-13.
- UNCG followed with a kill to set up match point. A service error followed to tie the set again.
- Middleton gave the Bulldogs their first match point with a kill.
- The Bulldogs took the match when the Spartans attack went into the net.
Inside the Box Score
- The Bulldogs defeated UNCG for the fourth-straight time.
- The Citadel rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat the Spartans in their first matchup in the spring.
- Sharlissa de Jesus finished the match with 20 kills, 12 digs and three service aces. It was the second time this season de Jesus has recorded at least 20 kills.
- Ali Ruffin added 12 kills and a career-high 19 digs. She also added five service aces and a pair of blocks. It was her fourth double-double of the season.
- Makaya Middleton was the third Bulldog in double figures with 10 kills.
- Kenzie Kellerman equaled Ruffin with a team-high 19 kills.
- Belle Hogan handed out 38 assists to go along with her 11 digs and four kills.
- Gina Delancey was a force at the net with two solo blocks and five block assists.
- Maya Elassal added two solo blocks and two block assists.
Up Next
The Bulldogs close out the weekend at Western Carolina on Oct. 16. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
