CHARLESTON, S.C. – The junior outside hitter Ali Ruffin is one of the driving forces on the Bulldogs' perfect start to the season.
 
Ruffin currently ranks third in total kills (206), fourth in points per set (229.5), sixth in kills per set (4.68), and ninth in points per set (5.22) in the nation.
 
She has been named the tournament MVP four times and selected to the All-Tournament team four times.
 
Get to know about The Citadel volleyball's outside hitter, Ali Ruffin.
 
Tell us a little about yourself?
"I am from Greenville, North Carolina. I am the third sibling out of four. When I was younger, during the summer, I would help my aunt on her farm, whether laying the flower bed, laying down mulch, feeding the animals, and many more farm-related chores."
 
What is your major, and what is your favorite class?
"I am an intelligence and securities studies major, and my favorite class was Intel Collections Systems and Program."
 
Who or what got you into playing volleyball?
"I grew up watching my older sister play travel and high school volleyball, started playing in the backyard with my siblings, and developed a love for the game."
 
What is the best advice you were given about playing volleyball?
"Over the years, don't wait for someone to get a ball you can get first. Don't wait for others, do it for yourself."
 
Is there a coach or athlete you admire as a role model, and why?
"My older sister is my role model because I watched her always; she was my coach in high school. My older sister played college softball at the University of Pittsburgh, so she knows the dedication and the work that needs to be put in to be successful on and off the court."
 
Why did you choose The Citadel?
"I wanted to play volleyball in college and didn't have a particular team in mind. I reached out to head coach Dave Zelenock about playing for The Citadel. I found the team, the staff, and The Citadel an exciting place to play."
 
Describe your journey at The Citadel.
"My knob year was challenging; having volleyball as a safe place helped me overcome the hardships of the Corps. Volleyball let me have control outside of the Corps and balance the Corps and volleyball. But now, the most challenging part is time management between school and volleyball. When not at practice or competing, we always work on schoolwork, so I don't have to worry about school while playing."
 
Explain the feeling of being undefeated and the plan to succeed from now?
"I don't feel like we are 12-0. I believe we are just being rewarded for the countless hours of practice and the work we put in. To continue to be successful, focus on our game plan and not change anything from what works. We have to stay confident in ourselves and each other."
 
How do you mentally and physically prepare yourself for a match?
"As one of the go-to players for the team, I always feel like I have to be mentally prepared, so I don't feel like that is a problem for me. Physically, I work an hour or more with our trainer, Shelby Lowe, with hip mobility, heat, and stim, so I am prepared for the competition."
 
How do you spend your free time?
"When I am home, I like to fish on the farm. I want to finish my homework before so I am not stressed during volleyball, and I like to build Legos and watch TV. My favorite show right now is Castle."
 
Head Coach Dave Zelenock on Ruffin.
"As a player, she's gotten a lot more consistent in all areas, but what's more impressive is her growth as a teammate. In her first year, I would say she led by example. Always showing people how hard to push and never complaining. As she's grown up in the program, she's become a vocal leader and isn't afraid to let people know what needs to be done. Everyone looks to her for how things should be done on and off the court."