Box Score WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (9-7, 9-2 CIAA) had to dig deep to get a key four-set victory over the Livingstone College Blue Bears (9-8, 4-7 CIAA). The match was a tough, hard-fought affair from beginning to end with neither team willing to back down. In the end, it was the Lady Rams who had the heart to take home the hard-fought victory, 25-27, 25-15, 25-20, and 25-23.
The Lady Rams took the win behind a stellar offensive effort that was driven by some impressive defensive efforts throughout the match. The Lady Rams totaled 60 kills in the match behind a career-high 21 kills from freshman hitter Jasmine Smith and 15 kills each from junior right side hitter Olivia Owens and freshman outside hitter Sydney Holland. Holland also added another double-double with 13 digs as well. Senior middle blocker Chelsea Violenes continued her great defensive play with four block assists and a pair of kills as well.
The intense match got off to an exciting start with both teams staging rallies throughout the set. The Lady Rams struck first when they built an early 11-5 lead over the Blue Bears. However, the team ran into some struggles as Livingstone erased the WSSU lead with a five unanswered points to pull within a point of the Lady Rams 10-11. From there, the two teams traded points until the Lady Rams found themselves holding a 25-24 lead after a Holland kill. From there, it was all Blue Bears as Livingstone scored three straight points to give the Lady Rams the 25-27 opening set loss.
The second set was a much different story as the Lady Rams kicked things into gear early and never looked back. The team built an early 10-5 lead over the Blue Bears and kept up the pressure with a 9-4 run that kept the Lady Rams in control, 19-9. Though Livingstone staged a late rally to cut their deficit down to seven points, 14-21, the Lady Rams were able to recover and powered their way to the 25-15 set win.
The third set was another battle for the two teams as the Lady Rams' early push to a 9-5 lead was onace again challenged by a Livingstone rally. The Lady Rams soon found themselves fending off the tough Blue Bears once again. After allowing an 11-7 run by the Blue Bears, the score stood tied 16-16. Frm there, the two teams traded points until the Lady Rams closed out the set with a 5-1 run that ended on a pair of Smith kills.
The fourth and final set of the match was just as thrilling as the opening three sets. The two teams battled throughout the set. A two-point 15-13 lead was the largest that the Lady Rams could manage through the most of the set. The critical moment of the set came late when the Lady Rams held a 23-22 lead. After a Livingstone kill, the Lady Rams closed the match with back-to-back scores, including an LC service error and Smith's 21st kill of the match.
With the win, the Lady Rams improve to 9-7 overall and 9-2 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team also improves to 4-1 in the CIAA Southern Division. The Lady Rams will return to action Monday evening when they host the Fayetteville State Lady Broncos in another key CIAA Southern Division match. For more information on Lady Rams volleyball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.
