Friday, August 28
Wilmington, N.C. / Hanover Hall
10:00 AM
The Citadel
0-1,0-0SoCon
0
vs
3
Kennesaw State
1-0,0-0CUSA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Citadel | 19 | 16 | 13 | 0 |
| Kennesaw St. | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Bulldogs Fall to Kennesaw State in Season Opener
8/28/2026 12:10:00 PM | Volleyball
WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Citadel (0-1, 0-0 SoCon) fell to Kennesaw State (1-0, 0-0 C-USA) in straight sets, with scores of 19-25, 16-25, and 13-25 on Friday at Hanover Hall.
Elizabeth Miller led the Bulldogs' attack with a notable .667 hitting percentage, converting 4-of-6 attempts for kills without an error. Rachel Reininger contributed offensively and defensively, tallying five kills and five digs. Greta Pleuss facilitated the offense, recording 15 assists over two sets. Cameron Reese added a team-leading six kills plus one block.
Gracie Pynes led the Owls with five service aces across three sets. Kourtney Brown paced the Kennesaw State offense, recording 13 assists and two block assists. Ashlyn Anderson had eight kills on 10 attempts, good for a team-high .700 hitting percentage. Alexis Sowers made her presence felt on defense, leading the team with 13 digs and securing four service aces.
First Set
- The Owls took an early lead, capitalizing on a service error and a block by Olivia Burrage and Anna Ofenheusle to make it 2-0.
- The Bulldogs responded with a kill from Miller and a service ace from Emerson Hill, leveling the score at 3-3.
- Haley Patterson registered multiple kills, including one that extended the KSU lead to 10-5.
- Despite a late push by the Bulldogs, with Reininger and Reese recording key kills, the Owls closed the set 25-19 with a kill by Anderson.
Second Set
- The Owls opened the set with two quick points, including a kill by Anderson.
- The Bulldogs responded with a scoring run, tying the set at 3-3 after an attack error by Ofenheusle.
- Kennesaw State built momentum with a service ace by Pynes, extending the lead to 5-3.
- The Owls secured the set 25-16 with a decisive kill by Anderson.
Third Set
- Kennesaw State's Pynes delivered two consecutive service aces, contributing to an early 6-1 lead.
- Burrage and Patterson each recorded kills, extending the Owls' advantage to 11-3.
- The Bulldogs responded with a pair of kills from Gwen Berry and Luci Lippelgoos, narrowing the gap to 14-8.
- Kennesaw State secured the set with a service ace from Ofenheusle, finishing 25-13.
"We did a really nice job giving a lot of kids playing time today and handling some late scratches among the available players. We had a couple of kids play out of position, which showed us a few helpful things," said head coach Dave Zelenock. "Hopefully we're back at full strength this afternoon, and we can put out the lineup we think is our best."
The Bulldogs are set to face Le Moyne at 4:30 p.m. inside Hanover Hall.
Elizabeth Miller led the Bulldogs' attack with a notable .667 hitting percentage, converting 4-of-6 attempts for kills without an error. Rachel Reininger contributed offensively and defensively, tallying five kills and five digs. Greta Pleuss facilitated the offense, recording 15 assists over two sets. Cameron Reese added a team-leading six kills plus one block.
Gracie Pynes led the Owls with five service aces across three sets. Kourtney Brown paced the Kennesaw State offense, recording 13 assists and two block assists. Ashlyn Anderson had eight kills on 10 attempts, good for a team-high .700 hitting percentage. Alexis Sowers made her presence felt on defense, leading the team with 13 digs and securing four service aces.
First Set
- The Owls took an early lead, capitalizing on a service error and a block by Olivia Burrage and Anna Ofenheusle to make it 2-0.
- The Bulldogs responded with a kill from Miller and a service ace from Emerson Hill, leveling the score at 3-3.
- Haley Patterson registered multiple kills, including one that extended the KSU lead to 10-5.
- Despite a late push by the Bulldogs, with Reininger and Reese recording key kills, the Owls closed the set 25-19 with a kill by Anderson.
Second Set
- The Owls opened the set with two quick points, including a kill by Anderson.
- The Bulldogs responded with a scoring run, tying the set at 3-3 after an attack error by Ofenheusle.
- Kennesaw State built momentum with a service ace by Pynes, extending the lead to 5-3.
- The Owls secured the set 25-16 with a decisive kill by Anderson.
Third Set
- Kennesaw State's Pynes delivered two consecutive service aces, contributing to an early 6-1 lead.
- Burrage and Patterson each recorded kills, extending the Owls' advantage to 11-3.
- The Bulldogs responded with a pair of kills from Gwen Berry and Luci Lippelgoos, narrowing the gap to 14-8.
- Kennesaw State secured the set with a service ace from Ofenheusle, finishing 25-13.
"We did a really nice job giving a lot of kids playing time today and handling some late scratches among the available players. We had a couple of kids play out of position, which showed us a few helpful things," said head coach Dave Zelenock. "Hopefully we're back at full strength this afternoon, and we can put out the lineup we think is our best."
The Bulldogs are set to face Le Moyne at 4:30 p.m. inside Hanover Hall.
-- #BattleReady --
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
L
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
Cit
KennSt
Kills
23
33
Errors
18
11
Attempts
76
71
Hitting %
.066
.310
Points
27.0
52.0
Assists
21
30
Aces
2
11
Blocks
2
8
Game Leaders
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
3
Aces
0
Blocks
2
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