Greenville, S.C. – Ali Ruffin and Mackenzie Martin combined for 41 kills on Friday evening as The Citadel Bulldogs rallied for a 3-2 (25-21, 25-22, 27-29, 20-25, 8-15) victory over the Furman volleyball team in Southern Conference action from Alley Gym.

Furman drops to 12-6 overall and 3-4 in the SoCon. With the win, The Citadel improves to 19-0 on the season and 7-0 in conference play.

Three different Paladins totaled double-doubles Friday in Mary Beth Headley, Ava Augustson, and Ella Abraham. Abraham registered her team leading fifth double-double of the year on 50 assists, a career-high, and 10 digs. Headley and Augustson both recorded their fourth double-double this season. Headley finished with 25 kills, a career-high, and 13 digs while Augustson compiled 13 kills and 11 digs. Lindsay Walch added eight kills and a career high 10 digs. Defensively, Kennedy Seekford had a match high 25 digs and Addison Poehner tallied 10.

Ruffin and Martin paced the Bulldog offense with their 41 combined kills. Ruffin registered a double-double of 21 kills and 14 digs while Martin also logged a double-double on 20 kills and 13 digs. Belle Hogan added a double-double of 55 assists and 13 digs. Jaelynn Elgert and Brooke Shively finished with 21 and 18 digs, respectively.

Furman jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after taking the opening two sets over The Citadel.

In set one, the Paladins posted a .214 hitting percentage and held a 20-13 lead late following Augustson's kill. The Bulldogs rallied with a 6-3 run and trailed 23-19 after a Paladin timeout. The Citadel cut their deficit to three with a service ace before Walch and Grainne McGrath combined for a block to give Furman the 25-21 win.

The Paladins added a .317 clip during set two led by Headley's seven kills on .545 hitting. Furman led throughout the entire set after starting on a 6-2 run capped by a Bulldog service error. The Citadel trimmed the lead down to two midway before the Paladins scored five of the next eight points to go ahead 20-16, leading to a Bulldog timeout, when Augustson connected on a kill. The Citadel made it a one-point set twice during the later stages, but Furman got a service error and kill from Headley to secure the 25-22 victory.

The Paladins were at set point in the third frame until an attack error sent the set into extra points. The Bulldogs captured the set 29-27 after a service ace and combination block.

The Citadel would then go on to take set four, 25-20, and set five, 15-8, to claim the 3-2 win.

Furman concluded the match hitting .184 and totaled 10 blocks led by Izzy Castelloe's five. McGrath and Walsh both contributed four assisted blocks.

The Paladins host UNC Greensboro on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. Fans can follow the action on www.furmanpaladins.com via live stats. The match is being streamed via paid subscription on ESPN+. Updates will also be posted on the Furman volleyball Twitter page (@FurmanVB). Admission to all Paladin home matches this season is free of charge with first-come, first-serve seating.