Four Bulldogs Reach Double Figures in Win Over Cal State Fullerton

Saturday, September 12

North Charleston, S.C. / Buccaneer Fieldhouse

11:00 AM

The Citadel

3-6,0-0SoCon

Cal State Fullerton

4-5,0-0Big West

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Cal St. Fullerton	23	23	25	21	1
The Citadel	25	25	22	25	3

Four Bulldogs Reach Double Figures in Win Over Cal State Fullerton

9/12/2026 2:14:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: The Citadel Athletics

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Four Bulldogs recorded double-digit kills as The Citadel (3-6) defeated Cal State Fullerton (4-5) in four sets, 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, on the final day of the Playa Bowls Invitational.

Jordyn Sims led the Bulldogs with 14 kills while hitting .333, for her second consecutive match with at least 14 kills. Rachel Reininger added 13 kills and surpassed the 100-kill mark for the season.

Emma Pastusic posted a career-high 13 kills, while Elizabeth Miller finished with 10 kills and one block. Greta Pleuss recorded a double-double with 45 assists, 15 digs and one service ace. Megan Stone collected a team-high 18 digs and added three aces. Luci Lippelgoos finished with six total blocks, including five solo blocks, and added seven kills.

For Cal State Fullerton, Marisa Nakata led the Titans with 13 kills and 18 digs. Mia Feldhaus recorded a team-high 22 digs and added seven assists. Italia Bernal finished with 22 assists, 10 digs and two service aces, while Parys Taylor added 10 kills, two aces and 12.5 points.

"It showed what this team is capable of and why we push them so hard," head coach Dave Zelenock said. "We know this is the level they can reach. Yesterday was a peak performance in the wrong direction, and today was a peak performance in the right direction. Hopefully, we can become more consistent moving forward.

"Offensively, Greta did a great job distributing the ball and keeping everyone involved. That was possible because we passed well and gave her options. Luci was also patient at the net and did a great job reading their setters. She waited for her opportunities, attacked, and was rewarded with several blocks."

First Set | 25-23

Cal State Fullerton scored the first three points before The Citadel answered with four straight, including a Pastusic kill and a Gwen Berry service ace, to take a 4-3 lead.
The set remained tight through a 14-14 tie before the Titans moved ahead 18-15 following a Nakata kill and a Bulldogs attack error.
A Sims kill cut the deficit to 18-16 before The Citadel won seven of the next eight rallies to take a 23-19 advantage. Pastusic and Miller recorded kills during the run, while Berry added another service ace.
Cal State Fullerton pulled within 24-23, but Sims closed the set with a kill off an assist from Pleuss to give the Bulldogs a 25-23 victory.

Second Set | 25-23

Cal State Fullerton took an early advantage by winning five of the first seven points and later held a 10-7 lead.
The Bulldogs erased a 13-10 deficit with five straight points to move ahead 15-13. Sims and Reininger recorded kills during the run, while Lippelgoos contributed two blocks.
After ties at 15-15, 16-16, 19-19 and 20-20, The Citadel moved ahead 22-20 before Reininger's kill off an assist from Jess Martin gave the Bulldogs set point.
The Titans cut the deficit to 24-23, but Pastusic finished the set with a kill to give The Citadel another 25-23 win.

Third Set | 22-25

The Titans scored the first three points before the Bulldogs cut the deficit to 5-4 behind a Stone service ace and a Lippelgoos block. Cal State Fullerton later extended its lead to 13-9.
A Pastusic kill made it 13-10 before Pleuss served the Bulldogs through a four-point run. Pleuss recorded an ace and Sims added a kill off a Stone assist as The Citadel moved ahead 14-13.
After a service error tied the set, Pastusic put the Bulldogs back in front 15-14.
The teams traded points until The Citadel took a 17-16 lead on a Reininger kill. Cal State Fullerton responded with four straight points behind two Hannah Hass kills and consecutive Taylor service aces to take a 20-17 advantage.
The Bulldogs pulled within 23-21, and Miller's kill fought off one set point before Bella Risling closed the frame to give the Titans a 25-22 victory.

Fourth Set | 25-21

Cal State Fullerton built a 9-5 lead before kills from Miller and Sims helped the Bulldogs cut the deficit to one.
Stone's service turn helped The Citadel move ahead 14-12. Sims added a kill, Stone served consecutive aces and the Titans committed a setting error during the run.
Cal State Fullerton regained a 20-18 lead behind consecutive Nakata kills before the Bulldogs responded. A Titans service error, a Miller kill, two Reininger kills and a Berry ace pushed The Citadel ahead 23-20.
Sims put the Bulldogs at match point before Mia Watson finished the 25-21 victory with a kill off an assist from Pleuss.