CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball team set multiple career highs in a 3-2 (20-25, 25-17, 21-25, 43-41, 13-15) loss against Western Carolina to open conference play.
Score: Western Carolina 3, The Citadel 2
Records: The Citadel (6-6, 0-1), Western Carolina (7-7, 1-0)
Location: McAlister Field House (Charleston, South Carolina)
Key Plays & Stats
- The Catamounts jumped to an 18-11 lead in the first set after an attack error for the Bulldogs.
- The Citadel managed to narrow the lead to four at 24-20, but it wasn't enough, as a kill for the Catamounts took the first set from The Citadel.
- The Bulldogs opened up the second set with a 9-6 early lead thanks to a 3-0 run with two attack errors from the Catamounts and a service ace from Megan Stone.
- A kill from Mackenzie Martin and an ace from Sophie Childs grew the Bulldogs lead to five points at 16-11.
- The Catamounts attempted a comeback at 22-15 with two consecutive points, closing the gap to 22-17. However, The Citadel halted the rally with a kill from Childs, an ace from Ali Ruffin, and an attack error to take the set at 15-17.
- The Citadel had an early at 13-10 in part to a 6-0 scoring run sparked by a Ruffin kill in the third set.
- Western Carolina fought back to take the lead from the Bulldogs thanks to a 6-1 scoring run at the end of the third set to go up 2-1 on the Bulldogs in the match.
- Back-to-back kills from Childs and an attack error from the Catamounts allowed the Bulldogs to take a 13-10 lead in the fourth.
- The Bulldogs' lead grew to four at 20-16, but the Catamounts fought back to narrow the lead to one at 21-20.
- A kill from Western Carolina tied the set at 25-25, which turned into 84 points being scored in the fourth set.
- Outstanding offense and defense from both teams prevented either side from gaining a decisive advantage in the set.
- Back-to-back kills from Childs allowed the Bulldogs to win the fourth set, 43-41, setting a program record for points in a set.
- The Bulldogs held an 11-8 lead from three points scored in a row.
- A 7-2 run from Western Carolina ended the chances for the Bulldogs as they would take the set and the match at 15-13.
- The Bulldogs recorded 76 kills, now tied for fourth all-time in program history.
- The Citadel achieved 120 digs, ranking third all-time, and tallied 74 assists, now tied for second all-time.
- Both teams combined for 57 kills and 18 match points in the fourth set.
- The 43 points scored in the fourth set by The Citadel is tied for the fifth most points scored in a single set in modern era.
- Two Bulldogs achieved 20-plus kills each, with Sophie Childs at 21 and Ali Ruffin at 23.
- Childs set a career-high in kills and attempts (54).
- Ruffin recorded her eighth double-double on the season with a career-high 33 digs.
- Belle Hogan posted a career-high 62 assists, besting her previous best at 60 set last season.
Up Next
The Citadel stays home for a conference match against the Mercer Bears on Sept. 28 inside McAlister Field House.
