CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball team equaled its best start in program history with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-13) victory over South Carolina State in its first match of The Citadel Tournament.
Game Information
Score: The Citadel 3, South Carolina State 0
Records: The Citadel (4-1), South Carolina State (0-7)
Location: McAlister Field House (Charleston, South Carolina)
Series: The Citadel leads 22-5
How it Happened
- After the teams split the first four points, The Citadel went on a 7-0 run behind the serve of Sharlissa de Jesus.
- SCSU would pull back within five points, but The Citadel answered with a 5-0 run of their own to open a double-digit advantage.
- The Citadel held a nine-point advantage late in the set before de Jesus put away and kill, and it was followed by a bad set from SCSU and a kill from Belle Hogan to end the set.
- The second set started just like the first, with the teams splitting the first four points.
- This time, it was the serve of Kenzie Kellerman that sparked a 4-0 to give the Bulldogs a lead they would not relinquish.
- Amie Greene took over as the setter for the second set and she registered two kills in helping The Citadel push its lead to 13 points.
- The Citadel jumped out quickly in the third set as the Bulldogs spread the ball around on their way to a 7-1 advantage.
- The Citadel made several substitutions in the final set and got kills from Sadie Gomez, Maya Elassal, Kathleen Bula and Lara Kuhlman.
Inside the Box Score
- The victory improved the Bulldogs to 4-1 on the season, matching the program record for best start to a season. The Citadel also started the 2011 season 4-1.
- The Bulldogs used a balanced offensive attack as all 12 players who had an attack registered a kill.
- Sharlissa de Jesus led the attack with 11 kills on 24 swings. Ali Ruffin added eight kills on 18 swings.
- As a team, the Bulldogs hit .284.
- The Citadel held SCSU to a -.058 hitting percentage. It marked the first time the Bulldogs held an opponent to a negative hitting percentage since Delaware State hit -.047 on Oct. 13, 2019.
- Kenzie Kellerman led the defense with 17 digs.
- Amie Greene played the final two sets and handed out 21 assists. She also added five kills and two digs.
- The Citadel had 10 service aces in the match with de Jesus serving up four and Kellerman three.
Up Next
The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow at 6 p.m. as they take on Presbyterian. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.