BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Citadel volleyball team defeated Robert Morris in four (22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-18) and Campbell in three (25-23, 25-22, 25-20) to sweep the Fairfield Inn and Suites Dunn Campbell Invitational.  

All Tournament Team:
 Tournament MVP: Ali Ruffin – The Citadel
The Citadel: Ali Ruffin, Belle Hogan, Maddy Cardenas
Campbell: Melody Paige, Emily Mitter
Robert Morris: Abby Ryan

NC Central: Tori Wilson
Game Information
Score: The Citadel (3), Robert Morris (1)
Records: The Citadel (6-6), Robert Morris (7-5)
Location: Gore Arena (Buies Creek, N.C.)
Series: Robert Morris leads 2-1. 


How it Happened
 

• The Citadel opened the first set with three kills from Sadie Gomez, Maddy Cardenas and Ali Ruffin. 
• Robert Morris returned points and the set was even at eight and stayed tied to 13. 
• A four-point run from the Bulldogs with a kill from Makaya Middleton and service ace from Cardenas gave them the edge they needed and forced Robert Morris into a timeout.
• Robert Morris returned from the timeout and fought back to take the lead and ultimately ended the set 25-22.
• The beginning of the second was evenly matched with the set still being tied at five, but a 6-1 run from The Citadel gave them the advantage and forced a timeout from Robert Morris. 
• Robert Morris slowly caught back up and the set was tied once again at 15, but kills from Ruffin, Cardenas and a service ace from Gina Delancey gave the Bulldogs a four-point advantage. 
• Both teams came into the third strong and exchanging points, still tied at eight.
• The Bulldogs began pulling away and took a three-point lead with kills from Ruffin and Cardenas. 
• A service ace from Hogan and kills from Cardena, Middleton and Ruffin helped to maintain the lead and the Bulldogs took the set 25-19.
• The Citadel took a quick 10-5 lead in the fourth with service aces from Jaelynn Elgert and Ruffin, then kills from Delancey, Ruffin, Cardenas, Middleton and Gomez.
• The Bulldogs kept working to extend their lead with a 14-8 advantage. 
• Ruffin put away four more kills and the set was ultimately ended 25-18 with two kills from Cardenas. 

 
Inside the Box Score
 

• Maddy Cardenas recorded a career-high of 19 kills. She also added three digs and one service ace. 
• Ali Ruffin led The Citadel with 20 kills, 18 digs and three service aces. 
• Makaya Middleton (7), Gina Delancey (6) and Sadie Gomez (6) added to the kill count. 
• Belle Hogan handed out 47 assists, three kills and two service aces.
• Kenzie Kellerman recorded 18 digs and three service aces. 

 
Game Information
Score: The Citadel (3), Campbell (0)
Records: The Citadel (7-6), Campbell (4-8)
Location: Gore Arena (Buies Creek, N.C.)
Series: Campbell leads 3-1. 


How it Happened
 

• Campbell opened the first set with a 3-0 lead, but it was immediately returned with five from the Bulldogs.
• The Camels did not let the Bulldogs keep the lead for long and went on a 6-1 run. 
• The Citadel responded with a 7-1 streak of their own with kills from Maddy Cardenas, Ali Ruffin and Sam Barnes (16-15). 
• The team's continued to exchange points and were still tied at 21, but kills from Belle Hogan, Gina Delancey and Cardenas secured the set 25-23.
• The second set began with a 7-3 Campbell advantage, but multiple kills and a service ace from Ruffin allowed the teams to meet at seven and continued to be tied until 20.
• A kill from Ruffin and a Camel attack error gave the Bulldogs a two-point advantage and forced a Campbell timeout, but The Citadel was able to finish the job 25-22.
• The Camels came into third set strong and took a quick 7-3 lead, but a five-point run with a kill from Hogan and service ace from Elgert tied the set at seven.
• Another run from the Bulldogs forced a Campbell timeout, but that did not slow The Citadel's momentum. 
• Hogan and Ruffin put away more kills to extend their lead to seven. 
• Delancey and Barnes added onto the count to end the final set 25-20.

 
Inside the Box Score
 

• Ali Ruffin led the team with 20 kills, 17 digs, three block assists and two service aces. 
• Maddy Cardenas, Belle Hogan, Sam Barnes and Gina Delancey each recorded four kills. 
• Kenzie Kellerman recorded 17 digs and Jaelynn Elgert followed with 10.
• Belle Hogan handed out 30 assists. 

 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will travel to Greenville, S.C. to compete against Furman for their conference-opener on Sept. 21. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
For more information and score updates on The Citadel volleyball team, please visit CitadelSports.com or follow @CitadelVB on Twitter and @CitadelVolleyball on Instagram.
 
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