CLEMSON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball team defeated Clemson in five (25-18, 24-26, 25-18, 17-25, 15-10) to close out the Clemson Invitational Saturday afternoon in Clemson's Jervey Gym.
Game Information
Score: The Citadel (3), Clemson (2)
Records: The Citadel (2-4), Clemson (3-2)
Location: Jervey Gym (Clemson, S.C.)
Series: The series is tied 1-1.
How it Happened
- Clemson started the first set with a 3-1 advantage, but a kill from Sadie Gomez and two Tiger attack errors allowed the Bulldogs to take the lead.
- Gina Delancey, Belle Hogan, Maddy Cardenas and Sam Barnes landed kills to extend the lead to 12-8 and forced Clemson into a timeout.
- A kill and service ace from Ali Ruffin continued to push The Citadel forward (17-12).
- The Bulldogs will continue their road-run and head to Knoxville, Tenn. for the Rocky Top Classic Sep. 9-10. They will face Norfolk State (4:00 p.m.) on Friday, then New Hampshire (10:00 a.m.) and Tennessee (6:30 p.m.) on Saturday.
- Clemson continues trailing by four until a 3-0 Bulldog run that ended the set at 25-18.
- The second set began evenly matched and was still tied at ten.
- The Tigers went on a three-point run to, but kills from Barnes and Cardenas had the set even once again.
- Points continued to be evenly exchanged with kills from Ruffin, Gomez and Delancey.
- The Citadel reached set point at 24-23 and forced a Clemson timeout, but when the returned the went on a three-point run to end the set at 26-24.
- The third set began with a 5-2 lead from the Tigers, but a service ace from Ruffin and Delancey helped the Bulldogs fight back within one (8-7).
- Kills from Barnes and Cardenas tied the set for the first time at 11, which ignited an impressive ten-point run from the Bulldogs.
- Two kills from Cardenas ended the set at 25-18.
- Clemson came into the fourth set with strength, taking aa 9-1 lead.
- A kill and solo block from Ruffin interrupted the Tiger's streak (9-5), but they once again returned with a 7-0 run.
- Clemson kept pushing forward and ended the set at 25-17.
- The Bulldogs took a 3-0 lead in the final set with a kill from Barnes, Ruffin and service ace from Elgert.
- Clemson was able to return one before more Bulldog kills from Delancey and Ruffin.
- A three-point run and a solo block from Ruffin was enough to ensure a win from The Citadel (15-10).
Inside the Box Score
- This match marked the first win against a Power 5 and ACC team for the Bulldogs.
- Ali Ruffin and Belle Hogan were named to the Clemson Invitational All-Tournament team.
- Hogan hit two career-highs with seven kills and 11 digs. She also handed out 47 assists which is a match-high for the season.
- Ruffin led the Bulldogs with 16 kills, 17 digs and two service aces.
- Sadie Gomez followed with 11 kills (career-high) and six digs.
- Gina Delancey also hit a career-high with 10 kills with a .471 attack percentage.
- Jaelynn Elgert recorded a career-high of 26 digs.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will continue their road-run and head to Knoxville, Tenn. for the Rocky Top Classic Sep. 9-10. They will face Norfolk State (4:00 p.m.) on Friday, then New Hampshire (10:00 a.m.) and Tennessee (6:30 p.m.) on Saturday.