
Bulldogs Drop SoCon Contest Against Western Carolina
9/26/2025 6:54:00 PM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel fell in straight sets to Western Carolina (20-25, 16-25, 19-25) on Friday afternoon inside McAlister Field House.
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The Citadel (0-12, 0-2) lost its second consecutive conference match against Western Carolina (5-7, 1-0), with the Catamounts leading the Bulldogs in kills 48-29. Both teams were tied with four aces each.
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Rachel Reininger led the Bulldogs with nine kills, followed by Gwen Berry with six and Karlie Vogelheim with five. Reininger also contributed 12 digs and two aces.
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Greta Pleuss paced The Citadel offense with 27 assists.
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Janelle Blue and Courtney Graham each led the Catamounts with 11 kills.
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Set 1
Two kills and a service ace from Reininger gave The Citadel an early 3-2 lead to start the first set. The Catamounts took advantage of two attack errors from the Bulldogs and a kill to regain the lead at 11-9. The set was tied at 14-14 on a service error committed by Western Carolina, but a 3-0 run from the Catamounts gave them the lead at 17-14. Kills from Jordyn Sims and Reininger narrowed The Citadel's deficit to just one at 19-18. The set slipped away from The Citadel as Western Carolina went on a 5-1 run to end the first set at 25-20.
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Set 2
Western Carolina led 3-1 over The Citadel, but a kill by Savannah Freeman and an attack error by the Catamounts tied the set at 4-4. The Citadel took the lead on a 4-0 run, thanks to a solo block from Luci Lippelgoos, two attack errors, and an ace from Freeman, going up 9-8. The Citadel maintained a 15-13 lead, but Western Carolina responded with an 8-0 run, turning the set around and leading 21-15, ultimately winning the set 25-16.
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Set 3
Two early kills from Berry tied the set early in the third at 3-3. The Catamounts then took a five-point lead at 12-7 after a four-point run. The Bulldogs fought back with their own 4-0 run, featuring two kills from Berry, a kill from Reininger, and an attack error, narrowing the gap to 12-11. The Catamounts' lead grew to 20-12 off an 8-1 scoring run. The Citadel's late 3-0 run wasn't enough as Western Carolina would take the third set at 25-19.
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Up Next
The Citadel is on the road for its next two conference matches at Furman on Oct. 3 and Mercer on Oct. 4.
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The Citadel (0-12, 0-2) lost its second consecutive conference match against Western Carolina (5-7, 1-0), with the Catamounts leading the Bulldogs in kills 48-29. Both teams were tied with four aces each.
Â
Rachel Reininger led the Bulldogs with nine kills, followed by Gwen Berry with six and Karlie Vogelheim with five. Reininger also contributed 12 digs and two aces.
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Greta Pleuss paced The Citadel offense with 27 assists.
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Janelle Blue and Courtney Graham each led the Catamounts with 11 kills.
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Set 1
Two kills and a service ace from Reininger gave The Citadel an early 3-2 lead to start the first set. The Catamounts took advantage of two attack errors from the Bulldogs and a kill to regain the lead at 11-9. The set was tied at 14-14 on a service error committed by Western Carolina, but a 3-0 run from the Catamounts gave them the lead at 17-14. Kills from Jordyn Sims and Reininger narrowed The Citadel's deficit to just one at 19-18. The set slipped away from The Citadel as Western Carolina went on a 5-1 run to end the first set at 25-20.
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Set 2
Western Carolina led 3-1 over The Citadel, but a kill by Savannah Freeman and an attack error by the Catamounts tied the set at 4-4. The Citadel took the lead on a 4-0 run, thanks to a solo block from Luci Lippelgoos, two attack errors, and an ace from Freeman, going up 9-8. The Citadel maintained a 15-13 lead, but Western Carolina responded with an 8-0 run, turning the set around and leading 21-15, ultimately winning the set 25-16.
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Set 3
Two early kills from Berry tied the set early in the third at 3-3. The Catamounts then took a five-point lead at 12-7 after a four-point run. The Bulldogs fought back with their own 4-0 run, featuring two kills from Berry, a kill from Reininger, and an attack error, narrowing the gap to 12-11. The Catamounts' lead grew to 20-12 off an 8-1 scoring run. The Citadel's late 3-0 run wasn't enough as Western Carolina would take the third set at 25-19.
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Up Next
The Citadel is on the road for its next two conference matches at Furman on Oct. 3 and Mercer on Oct. 4.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
WCU
Cit
Kills
48
29
Errors
12
19
Attempts
120
118
Hitting %
.300
.085
Points
59.0
35.0
Assists
44
28
Aces
4
4
Blocks
7
2
Game Leaders
Tuesday, December 07
Wednesday, November 24
Wednesday, November 17
Wednesday, November 17



























