Box Score Volleyball Drops Tough Five-Set Match
 
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball team suffered a tough five-set defeat (21-25, 25-18, 25-15, 21-25, 9-15) to ETSU Saturday afternoon in Johnson City, Tennessee. The Bulldogs forced the Bucs into five for the first time in their season. 
 
Game Information
Score: The Citadel 2, ETSU, 3
Records: The Citadel (9-10, 5-8), ETSU (11-12, 7-5)
Location: Brooks Gym (Johnson City, Tennessee)
Series: ETSU leads 27-1
 
How it Happened

• The Bulldogs opened the first set with a 6-5 lead, but ETSU aggressively responds with an 11-point run.
• The streak was broken by a kill from Ali Ruffin that slid through the Bucs' block, sparking the start of a four-point run. 
• The Citadel continued to push and used two service aces from Ruffin to pull within three, but ETSU stayed constant and was able to end the set at 25-21. 
• The team's exchanged points in the beginning of the second set and were still evenly matched at 10.
• A kill from Makaya Middleton was the beginning of a 5-1 run and a Bulldog lead. 
• A combination of three Buc errors and kills from Sharlissa de Jesus and Ruffin ended the set at 25-18. 
• The Citadel continued the momentum and opened the third with a strong 5-1 lead. A service ace from de Jesus forced ETSU into a timeout. 
• ETSU fights back and pulls within two, but The Citadel once again takes off. A corner kill from Ruffin ends the third at 25-15.
• ETSU started the fourth with a 4-1 lead. A solo block from Gina Delancey interrupted the run, and was followed by an ETSU error and another service ace from Ruffin to tie back up at 5-5.
• The team's continued to trade points until ETSU took off on an 8-2 run. A Buc ace and kill ended the set, forcing a fifth.
• ETSU started the fifth with force and recorded four service aces, allowing a 10-2 lead.
• The Bulldog attack didn't relent, but ultimately was not enough and the Bucs ended the match.  

 
Inside the Box Score

• Belle Hogan recorded four kills and two solo blocks, both of which marked career-highs. 
• Ali Ruffin defeated her career-high with four service aces. She also matched her career-high of 16 kills, and added 17 digs.
• Sharlissa de Jesus led the Bulldogs with 22 kills and 16 digs.  
• Maddy Cardenas handed out two solo blocks for the first time this season, and added seven kills.
• Gina Delancey contributed with two solo blocks and two block assists. 

 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will finish their road streak by facing the Paladins on Nov. 3 in Greenville, South Carolina. First serve is set for 7 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.