JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – The Citadel volleyball team defeated Columbia in four sets (25-15, 25-19, 19-25, 25-19) on Saturday afternoon to conclude the Jacksonville Invitational.
Score: The Citadel 3, Columbia 1
Records: The Citadel (6-5), Columbia (3-6)
Location: Swisher Gymnasium (Jacksonville, Florida)
Key Plays & Stats
- The Citadel dominated the first set offensively with 14 kills on a .387 attack percentage.
- Mackenzie Martin served an ace to put the Bulldogs up by four at 9-5.
- The Bulldogs lead grew to much as 11 points with blocks from Aaliyah Byers and Sophie Childs to make it 20-9.
- A service ace from Greta Pleuss and a kill from Ali Ruffin put the Lions away in the first set at 25-15.
- The Bulldogs started the second set with an 11-4 lead, thanks to a 6-0 scoring run, including two service aces from Childs and a kill from Martin.
- An attack error from the Lions allowed the Bulldogs to take a 12-point lead at 21-9.
- After a 5-1 scoring run, the Lions narrowed the Bulldogs' lead to 23-15, but The Citadel capitalized on a service error to win the second set 25-17.
- The third set didn't favor The Citadel, as the Lions would win 25-19 to force a fourth set. That being the first set The Citadel dropped all weekend.
- The Bulldogs took an early 6-4 lead with a kill from Martin and Childs and a service ace from Childs.
- A kill by Ruffin sparked a 6-1 run for the Bulldogs, giving them the lead at 17-10.
- The Bulldogs secured the set and the match at 25-19 with kills from Peri Hoshock and Childs, putting the Lions away.
- The Citadel dominated offensively with 52 kills on a .315 attack percentage.
- The Bulldogs out-blocked the Lions 10-5.
- Ali Ruffin performed outstandingly, achieving 15 kills with a .414 attack percentage. She also tallied 11 digs, marking her sixth double-double of the season.
- Sophie Childs records her fourth double-digit kill match in a row with 12 kills on the day and five total blocks.
- Aaliyah Byers led the Bulldogs in attack percentage, hitting .529 with 11 kills on 17 attempts.
- Belle Hogan (26) and Greta Pleuss (11) recorded double-digit assists.
Up Next
The Citadel will open Southern Conference match play inside McAlister Field House against Western Carolina on September 25 for Banner Night.