Box Score BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Citadel volleyball continued Southern Conference Tournament action with a victory over three-time reigning champions, Samford, in four sets (25-21,22-25, 28-26, 25-21) Saturday evening in Birmingham, Alabama. The Bulldogs will compete in the championship match for the first time in program history. 
 
Game Information
Score: The Citadel 3, Samford 1
Records: The Citadel (13-11, 7-9), Samford (11-18, 9-7)
Location: Pete Hanna Center (Birmingham, Alabama)

 
How it Happened

• Samford opened the first set with a two-point lead, but it was quickly returned with a kill from Ali Ruffin and solo-block by Gina Delancey.
• The Citadel was able to keep a two-point lead until a Samford kill and service ace matched the team's back up at 17.
• The teams continued to trade points until a three-point run that consisted of two kills from Sharlissa de Jesus ended the first set at 25-21.
• The second set saw a similar 2-0 start from Samford, but was once again returned by The Citadel. 
• The Citadel went on a five-point run to take the lead, but Samford stayed constant with their attack and eventually tied the teams at 16.
• The Citadel used a kill from Alicia Roberts and Makaya Middleton, but once again Samford fought back and scored the last five points, ending the set.
• Both teams had a strong start in the third and were still tied at 7, until Samford went on a six-point run.
• Samford was able to stretch the lead to seven, until The Citadel went on a run of their own.
• Samford was at set point, but kills from Ruffin and Kenzie Kellerman put the set at 24-24.
• Three kills from de Jesus and a service ace from Belle Hogan allowed The Citadel to end the set at 28-26.
• Samford fought for a different result in the fourth, and opened the set with a 6-2 lead.
• The Citadel used two service aces from Faith Justice and three consecutive kills from de Jesus to catch up and surpass Samford. 
• From there, The Citadel kept the momentum and Samford was not able to find the lead again.
• The final set ended at 25-21 with kills from Ruffin, de Jesus, Middleton and a service ace from Kathleen Bula.

Inside the Box Score

• The match marked the fourth all-time victory, and first semifinal victory in the tournament. The Bulldogs will advance to the finals for the first time in program history.  
• Sharlissa de Jesus is just the second player in program history to record 30 kills in a match. Moriah Smith set the record with 35 kills against Gardner-Webb on Aug. 27, 2016. de Jesus also added 17 digs.
• The Bulldogs recorded 68 kills and a .306 hitting percentage, both marking team season-highs.
• Ali Ruffin beat her career-high with 21 kills. She also added 16 digs and one service ace. 
• Belle Hogan handed out 55 assists, which was a career-high. Hogan also added three kills, two service aces, and 11 digs.
• Alicia Roberts and Makaya Middleton contributed to the attack with five and four kills, respectively. 

Up Next
The Bulldogs will face No. 4 Wofford on Saturday in the championship match. First serve is set for 5 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.