CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel Volleyball team dropped their home conference opener against Western Carolina, 3-1 (25-16, 25-12, 23-25, 25-22), Sunday night at McAlister Field House.
Game Information
Score: The Citadel (1), Western Carolina (3)
Records: The Citadel (8-7, 1-1), Western Carolina (10-6, 3-1)
Location: McAlister Field House (Charleston, South Carolina)
Series: Western Carolina leads 35-10
How it Happened
- WCU scored the first four points in set one, before Ali Ruffin had two kills to pull the Bulldogs within 5-3.
- The Bulldogs battled back to even the match, 10-10, with Maddy Cardenas' back-to-back kills.
- The Catamounts scored seven consecutive points against the Bulldogs to open up an eight-point advantage on their way to taking the first set.
- The Catamount's Sarah Janourova had three-straight aces in the second set to open up a 12-4 advantage. WCU would maintain the momentum in taking the set.
- The Bulldogs and the Catamounts battled back in forth in the third set before The Citadel scored five-straight points to tie the set, 22-22.
- Cardenas ended the set with three kills to give the Bulldogs the set, 25-23.
- The fourth set was even until the Catamounts rang off six points off kills and service aces to make the score 15-10.
- Facing match point, the Bulldogs pulled within two points on kills from Ruffin, Kathleen Bula and Belle Hogan.
- The Catamounts took the match with a kill from Merry Gebel.
Inside the Box Score
- Ali Ruffin led the way with 18 kills and 18 digs for her 10th double-double of the season.
- Maddy Cardenas registered 15 kills on the day with one block and 10 digs.
- Kathleen Bula had a season-high six kills, two blocks and four digs.
- Belle Hogan continues to add to her career assist total as she complied 39 assists against the Catamounts.
Up Next
The Bulldogs are back home against UNCG on Oct. 3 at McAlister Field House, with the first serve set for 5 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
