PETERSBURG, VA – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (16-8) opened the 2013 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Championship Tournament on a high note with a 5-1 win over the Johnson C. Smith Lady Golden Bulls (10-15), Thursday afternoon. With the win, the Lady Rams advance to the semifinal round of the tournament for the third straight season.

WSSU opened the match in a big way with two wins in doubles play. The Lady Rams took #1 and #2 doubles with seniors Sloane Holmes and Kayla Carter taking an 8-0 win while the senior tandem of Bianka Locklear and Kalin Jarvis took an 8-1 win at #2 doubles.

With the 2-1 doubles lead, the Lady Rams needed just three singles wins to clinch the match. Locklear took a 6-0, 6-1 win at #3 singles while Carter took a 6-0, 6-4 win at #2. It was Holmes wh ended the match when she took a 6-1, 6-0 win at #1 singles.

The win will send the Lady Rams to the semifinals where they will face the winners of the Shaw/Saint Augustine's match. For more information on Lady Rams tennis, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.