Volleyball Preview: Trojan Invitational

Friday, September 18

Troy, Ala. / Trojan Arena

11:30 AM

The Citadel

Murray State

Volleyball Preview: Trojan Invitational

9/17/2026 10:00:00 AM | Volleyball

By: The Citadel Athletics

TROY, Ala. – The Citadel (3-6) returns to action for three matches at the Trojan Invitational, hosted by Troy, on Sept. 18-19, with the first match slated for Friday at the Trojan Arena.

About the Bulldogs
- The Citadel enters the weekend with a 3-6 overall record and is coming off a 3-1 win over Cal State Fullerton.

- Jordyn Sims recorded a career-high 14 kills against Bethune-Cookman and matched that total against Cal State Fullerton.

- Greta Pleuss finished with 45 assists and 15 digs against the Titans for a double-double.

- Luci Lippelgoos recorded a season-high six blocks, including five solo blocks, against Cal State Fullerton.

- Megan Stone posted a career-high 18 digs against the Titans and added three service aces.

- The Bulldogs had four players with double-digit kills against Cal State Fullerton: Sims (14), Reininger (13), Pastusic (13) and Miller (10).

ESPN+
The match against Troy will be streamed on ESPN+.

Sims Steps Up
Jordyn Sims recorded a career-high 14 kills against Bethune-Cookman and matched that total against Cal State Fullerton. She hit .333 in both matches and added three blocks against Bethune-Cookman.

Stone in the Back Row
Megan Stone set a career high with 16 digs against Bethune-Cookman before resetting the mark with 18 digs against Cal State Fullerton. Stone also recorded three service aces in the win over the Titans.

Pastusic Posts Career Best
Emma Pastusic set a career high with 13 kills against Cal State Fullerton, surpassing her previous mark of 10. She hit .258 on 31 attacks in the victory.

Reininger From the Line
Rachel Reininger recorded a career-high four service aces against Bethune-Cookman, surpassing her previous best of three. She also posted 10 kills and 14 digs.

Bulldogs Bounce Back
The Citadel snapped a three-match losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Cal State Fullerton, winning 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21. The Bulldogs hit .234 with 58 kills, 51 assists, eight aces and eight blocks.

Scouting Murray State
Murray State enters with a 1-8 overall record and an offense led by outside hitters Anne Makowski and Alexa Watts. Makowski recorded a career-high 19 kills while hitting .302 in the Racers' most recent match against Middle Tennessee, while Watts added 10 kills and four blocks. Freshman middle blocker Maezi Snyder contributed eight kills and four blocks, and setter Katie Titus finished with 23 assists. Murray State is coming off a 3-1 loss to Middle Tennessee after pushing Northern Colorado to five sets earlier in the weekend.

Scouting Troy
Troy enters the weekend with a 2-4 overall record and a balanced attack led by outside hitter Kalina Calvillo. Calvillo leads the Trojans with 70 kills at 3.50 kills per set while hitting .314 and has also recorded a team-high 12 service aces. Isabella Ruether has added 49 kills, while middle hitter Ashlynn Axtell has posted 44 kills on a .370 hitting percentage. Setter Madison Marx directs the Troy offense with 116 assists, and the Trojans have recorded 42 service aces through their first six matches.

Scouting Northwestern State
Northwestern State enters the weekend with a 6-6 overall record and has won five consecutive matches after opening the season 1-6. Outside hitter Olivia Nzioki has emerged as a key offensive threat after recording 50 kills across three matches and earning Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. Setter Jade Longlad directs the Demon offense and has averaged more than nine assists per set, while Emmarie McFarland anchors the back row after securing Southland Defensive Player of the Week distinction. Northwestern State most recently swept Louisiana Tech, 3-0, behind a balanced attack that featured four players with at least six kills.

Up Next
The Citadel opens conference play on the road in Macon, Ga., against Mercer on Sept. 25-26.

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