SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced The Citadel volleyball and track & field cadet-athlete Ali Ruffin as a Southern Conference Presidential Scholarship recipient for the 2024-25 academic year, per a release from the league Thursday.

The postgraduate scholarship recipients are nominated by their schools and selected by the Southern Conference Graduate Scholar Committee. The scholarships, worth $2,000 each, are awarded to student-athletes who intend to pursue advanced degrees in graduate or professional school. The student-athletes are evaluated on academics, athletics, and community service.

Ruffin, a star outside hitter for the Bulldogs the past four years, led The Citadel to a pair of SoCon Volleyball Championships -- one tournament and one regular-season -- across a distinguished run with the program, including the first-ever women's title in The Citadel history. Overall, she concluded her career with 1,599 kills and 1,531 digs, good for second all-time in the former and third all-time in the latter, while also garnering Rayna Taylor Freshman of the Year honors in 2021, SoCon Player of the Year accolades in 2023 and first-team All-Conference recognition following both the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. Additionally, Ruffin has showcased a strong dual-sport capability as a key member of the women's track & field squad, notably winning a gold medal in the javelin at the 2024 SoCon Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Off the field and court, Ruffin was distinguished on the dean's list each year in addition to being named a Chi Alpha Scholar and NCAA Division I All-Academic Athlete in 2024. Over the last five years, Ruffin has assisted the Ronald McDonald House, volunteered at volleyball clinics, and been a dog walker for Pitt County Animal Service.