FAYETTEVILLE, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (15-14) survived and advanced in the opening round of the 2014 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Volleyball Championship Tournament, Friday afternoon when they took a five-set win over the Elizabeth City State Vikings (8-17). After opening the match with a pair of set losses 23-25 and 15-25, the Lady Rams battled back with three straight set wins, 25-15, 25-19, and 20-18 to take the win and advanced to the semifinal round of the tournament.

The Lady Rams took the win behind an inspired effort by the All-CIAA trio of senior right side hitter Olivia Owens, freshman outside hitter Sydney Holland, and freshman outside hitter Jasmine Smith. Smith led the team's attack with 17 kills, but was slowed by 10 attack errors. Owens added 13 kills and five blocks (one solo) while Holland rounded out the effort with 10 kills and seven digs. Senior setter Kayla Brass added a team-high 33 assists as well. As a team, the Lady Rams' offense was no problem with the squad totaling 52 kills in the match, but the 22 attack errors and 13 receiving errors did pose a problem.

Things got tough early for the Lady Rams. After opening the set with a 5-8 deficit, the Lady Rams were able to get things going and tied the set, 11-11. From there, the two teams continued to battle until a late drought cost the Lady Rams the set. After falling behind, 19-22, the Lady Rams scored four straight points to take a 23-22 lead. However, back-to-back kills from the Vikings would end the WSSU rally and gave the Lady Rams the 23-25 opening set loss.

The second set was a different affair for the Lady Rams. After another slow start left the Lady Rams trailing, 5-12, the Lady Rams scored four straight points to pull within three points, 9-12. However, that was as close as the team would get during the set. After a Smith kill brought the score to 15-19, the Lady Rams allowed six straight points to the Vikings. The drought included a pair of WSSU attack errors and a receiving error.

Things began to turn in the third set of the match when the Lady Rams came out with a dominating performance. The team totaled 14 kills with just one attack error during the set. After taking a 16-10 lead, the Lady Rams kicked things into gear with four straight points to build a 20-10 lead. The Lady Rams went on to maintain the 10-point cushion and cruised to the victory.

The Lady Rams kept things going in the fourth set with another late surge. After battling to an 18-18 tie, the Lady Rams kicked things into gear when they scored seven of the next eight points to claim the 25-19 set win and set the stage for a dramatic deciding set.

The final set was another great effort with neither team showing any sign of surrender. Things got tough early with the Lady Rams falling behind, 6-11. It was a Holland kill that sparked the Lady Rams as it pulled the team within three points, 10-13. The score sparked a 4-1 WSSU run that tied the set, 14-14 and set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the match. The two teams traded points until an ECSU service error and attack error sealed the 20-18 win for the Lady Rams and the match.

With the win, the Lady Rams will advance to the semifinal round of the tournament where they will take on the Chowan Hawks who took an impressive three-set win over Saint Augustine's earlier in the day. The two teams will meet in a 3:00 p.m. match at Felton Capel Arena on the campus of Fayetteville State University.

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.