Match Preview
The Citadel volleyball team is scheduled to compete in the Queens Fall Classic on Sept. 12 against Queens at 12:30 pm and UNC Asheville at 5 pm. The Bulldogs will finish the tournament with a match against Campbell on Sept. 13 at 11 am. 
 
About the Bulldogs
The Citadel is 0-5 heading into the Queens Fall Classic. The Bulldogs dropped a four-set match against College of Charleston on Monday.
 
The Citadel started the season 0-3 at the Buc-Dome Invitational. Savannah Freeman was named to the All-Buc Dome Invitational Team.
 
The Bulldogs went 0-2 on the first day of the tournament and lost a tough match against Charleston Southern on Saturday.
 
In the 2024 season, the Bulldogs finished with a 15-14 overall record and an 8-8 conference record. The Citadel participated in three tournaments before entering conference play with matches at Alabama, Nebraska, and Troy.
 
The Bulldogs were chosen as the preseason favorites in the Southern Conference, with Ali Ruffin and Belle Hogan receiving preseason honors.
 
Zelenock and the Bulldogs faced the No. 2 Nebraska Cornhuskers in front of a sold-out crowd of 8,607 in Lincoln, Nebraska, marking the highest away attendance the Bulldogs have ever had.
 
Scouting Queens
The Royals are 5-2 this season, with recent wins over Georgia State and Florida A&M, both by scores of 3-1. Emma Norris, a 6-1 outside hitter, leads the team with 73 kills, averaging 2.70 per set. Defensively, Tilley Collins leads the Royals in digs with 119, averaging 4.41. Norris also leads the team in total blocks with 38.0.
 
Scouting UNC Asheville
UNC Asheville is 1-6 this season, with consecutive losses to East Carolina and Furman at the Bulldog Invitational. They defeated West Georgia in straight sets. They also played a midweek match against Western Carolina, which they lost in five sets. Kylie Cackovic, a 6-1 outside hitter, leads the team with 88 kills, averaging 3.52 per set. Defensively, Michelle Thao leads the team in digs with 115, and Baylor Herlehy leads in total blocks with 30.0.
 
Scouting Campbell
The Camels are 4-2 on the season with a three-match winning streak heading into the Queens Fall Classic. The Camels defeated Gardner-Webb, Norfolk State, and UNCG at the Campbell Invitational. Maja Daca, a 5-8 outside hitter, leads the team with 73 kills, averaging 3.48 per set. Defensively, Aley Clent tops the team with 12.0 total blocks.
 
Series History
The Citadel is 1-0 all-time against Queens, with their only matchup in 2023 resulting in the Bulldogs winning in straight sets. UNC Asheville holds a 7-1 record against The Citadel, with the most recent game in 2023, where The Citadel won 3-0. Campbell is 3-1 versus The Citadel, with the latest match in 2022, when The Citadel emerged victorious in straight sets.
 
Meet at the Net
Middle blocker Luci Lippelgoos has 21.0 total blocks this season through five matches. Her total is the second-highest all-time through five matches since 2002, when Lindsey Hodge recorded 23.0 in the first five matches. Lippelgoos is averaging 1.24 blocks per set.
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will compete in the Wofford and USC Upstate Invitational on Sept 20 with matches against Gardner-Webb at 11 am and USC Upstate at 6 pm.