WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (4-5, 4-1 CIAA) clicked on all cylinders when the team took an impressive three-set win over the feisty Saint Augustine's Falcons (1-8, 1-4 CIAA), Monday evening. The Lady Rams needed every bit of effort to get the win as both teams fought for every point in the match. In the end, it was the Lady Rams who came out on top, 25-21, 25-19, and 25-10.

The Lady Rams took the win behind a great overall effort as they totaled 40 kills with just 17 attack errors in the match. The team also benefitted from a strong service game as well with four service aces in the match. It was the Lady Rams' freshman tandem of Sydney Holland and Jasmine Smith that led the way for the Lady Rams. Smith recorded a career-high 13 kills with just four errors in the match while Holland added 12 kills. Junior right side hitter Olivia Owens also had a strong night with nine kills, a service ace, and five total blocks (one solo). Fellow freshman Haley Miller led the WSSU defensive effort with nine digs as well. 

The match opened with a bang with both teams holding leads throughout the set. The Lady Rams got off to a slow start with Saint Augustine's taking a 10-6 lead, but the Lady Rams answered with a 10-6 run that tied the set, 16-16. The Lady Rams would go on to close out the set when they four of the final five points of the match to take the 25-21 set win. The Lady Rams carried their momentum into the second set when the team jumped out to an early 9-7 lead. Saint Augustine's would stay within a point of the Lady Rams until a 3-1 WSSU run left the Lady Rams leading 15-11. A Lady Rams service error turned out to be the only point that the Falcons could score during the run. From there, the Lady Rams pushed their lead to as many as five point, 23-18 before stifling a late run by the Falcons and taking the set, 25-19. The final set saw the Lady Rams cruise to the win after opening the set with a dominating 11-3 run. The Falcons made a late run, scoring back-to-back point late to pull the score to 19-10, but the Lady Rams would not be denied when the team scored six straight points to secure the win.

With the win, the Lady Rams improve to 4-5 on the season and 4-1 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team will return to action, Thursday evening when they host the UNC-Pembroke Braves. 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.