CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball team opens up the 2024 season on the road at the Crimson Tide Invitational, hosted by the University of Alabama.

Game Notes (PDF)
UT Martin | Live Stats
Alabama | Watch SEC Network+ | Live Stats
Grambling | Live Stats

Notes on the Bulldogs
 
The Bulldogs open up the 2024 season at the Crimson Tide Invitational hosted by the University of Alabama against UT Martin, Alabama, and Grambling on August 30-31.
 
The reigning 2023 SoCon regular season champions were tabbed as the preseason favorites in the 2024 Southern Conference Preseason Volleyball Coaches Poll.
 
Ali Ruffin, the 2023 Southern Conference Player of the Year, and Belle Hogan, the Setter of the Year, earned 2024 Preseason All-SoCon honors.
 
The Bulldogs return ten players for the 2024 season, including Southern Conference Player of the Year Ali Ruffin, Setter of the Year Belle Hogan, and Libero of the Year Jaelynn Elgert. The Citadel welcomes seven newcomers to the squad this year and features two transfers: Sophie Childs (Texas State) and Aaliyah Byers (Wright State).
 
Head volleyball coach Dave Zelenock enters his seventh season as the winningest head coach in program history with an overall record of 84-85.
 
Record Breaking Season
The Citadel achieved numerous records during the season, with 27 wins surpassing the old record of 14. The Bulldogs also achieved the longest winning streak in a season with 23 straight matches. They set records with the most kills in a season (1,616), kills per set (13.69), 1,490 assists, and 2,038 digs.
 
Honors for Ruffin
Ali Ruffin was selected as the AVCA East Coast All-Region Honorable Mention last season and was honored as an AVCA All-American honorable mention.
 
Not on the court, but on the track, Ruffin was crowned the SoCon Outdoor Women's javelin champion last season.
 
Scouting UT Martin
The Skyhawks are coming off an 8-20 overall and 6-12 OVC conference record. UT Martin is anchored defensively by its senior libero/defensive specialist, Dylan Mott, who was named to the Ohio Valley Conference's Player to Watch list. The Bulldogs are 0-2 all-time against the Skyhawks, with the most recent match in 2015 with a 1-3 loss.
 
Scouting Alabama
Alabama finished the 2023 campaign with an 11-18 overall and a 1-17 SEC conference record. Alabama added three transfers this past offseason with Kayla Keshock (Samford), Natalie Repetti (UC San Diego), and Paris Thompson (Notre Dame). Chaise Campbell returns for Alabama; she was third on the team last season with 196 kills and 80 total blocks. This will be the first match against Alabama in program history.
 
Scouting Grambling
Grambling recorded a 10-20 overall and 8-8 SWAC conference record during the 2023 season. Kai Williams returns for her senior season. She was second on the team with 255 kills and 30 total blocks. This will be the first match against Grambling in program history.
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, to compete in the Husker Invitational, hosted by #2 Nebraska.