Match Preview
The Citadel continues conference match play on the road, as the Bulldogs travel to Johnson City, Tennessee, to face the ETSU Buccaneers on Oct. 9 at 6 pm, then head to Greensboro, North Carolina, to play the UNCG Spartans on Oct. 10 at 6 pm.
 
About the Bulldogs
The Citadel is 0-14 overall and 0-4 in conference play, having fallen in both matches last week against Furman and Mercer.
 
Rachel Reininger continues to lead the Bulldogs in kills with a total of 89, averaging 2.87 per set. Freshman Gwen Berry is making notable progress for The Citadel, leading the team in kills against Furman with nine and recording 53 kills for the season, averaging 2.12 per set.
 
Greta Pleuss continues to pace the Bulldogs' offense, having recorded 286 assists, averaging 6.22 per set.
 
Luci Lippelgoos remains a dominant force at the net for the Bulldogs, with 43.0 total blocks, including 16 solo blocks and 27 block assists. She also ranks second on the team with 63 kills, including seven kills against Mercer with a .313 hitting percentage.
 
Jess Martin leads the Bulldogs in digs with 99, averaging 2.61 per set.
 
Scouting ETSU
The Buccaneers are 10-5 overall and 4-0 in the SoCon, as they continue a four-match winning streak against The Citadel. ETSU has started conference play with victories over Mercer, Chattanooga, Western Carolina, and Samford. Makayla Bays, a 5-11 outside hitter, leads the Buccaneers in kills and is ranked second in the SoCon with 218 kills.
 
Scouting UNCG
The Spartans are 9-6 overall and 2-2 in the SoCon, with a 1-1 record last weekend, including a win over Chattanooga and a loss to Western Carolina. Allie Sweat, a 6-2 outside hitter, leads the Spartans and the SoCon in kills with 258, averaging 4.37 per set. Freshman Connore' Siler-Nixon earned the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honors after recording 26 kills with a .447 hitting percentage.
 
Series History
ETSU leads the all-time series against The Citadel at 30-5, with both teams splitting matches last season. UNCG holds the series over The Citadel at 35-12, with The Citadel defeating the Spartans both times. The Bulldogs are on a four-game winning streak against the Spartans.
 
Once a Player, Now a Legend
The Citadel athletics will retire Sharlissa de Jesus' No. 11 jersey, making her the first women cadet-athlete to have her jersey retired at The Citadel. The retirement ceremony will take place before the Samford match on Oct. 17 at McAlister Field House.
 
One of the most decorated players in The Citadel and Southern Conference history, de Jesus led The Citadel to the 2021 Southern Conference Championship title and a trip to the NCAA tournament, where the Bulldogs faced Georgia Tech.
 
Up Next
The Citadel returns to McAlister Field House to play against Samford on Oct. 17 and Chattanooga on Oct. 18.