WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State University Rams (13-6) had to dig deep to take a five-set win over the Concord Mountain Lions (7-21), Tuesday evening. After taking control of the match with wins in the opening two sets of the match, 25-17, and 27-27, the Rams had to fend off a Concord team that clawed their back in with back-to-back wins in the third and fourth sets, 19-25 and 19-25. However, in the end, the Rams pulled out the victory with a dominating 15-10 fifth set.

The Rams took the win behind a great effort on both sides of the ball as the team totaled 56 kills with 22 total blocks (two solo). WSSU senior right side hitter Olivia Owens led the team with 17 total kills in the match, but it was junior middle blocker Jocelyn Mills who stole the show when she recorded 16 kills with eight total blocks (one solo). Junior outside hitter Teynia Shepherd nearly missed a double-double effort when she recorded nine kills with 11 digs in the match.

The Rams opened the match with a pair of impressive performances. The first set was the team's most impressive effort. After taking a 21-17 lead, the Rams scored four straight points to close out the set victory. The second set was a much tougher battle as the Rams found themselves trailing the Mountain Lions, 19-15 before storming back to tie the set, 23-23 after an 8-4 run. After benefitting from back-to-back Concord errors, the Rams took control of the set, 25-24 before allowing Concord to tie things once again, 25-25. In the end, however, the Rams prevailed with back-to-back kills from Owens and sophomore outside hitter Sydney Holland.

After taking consecutive 19-25 losses in the third and fourth sets, the Rams kicked things into gear in the fifth set to take the win. The team benefitted from an inspired effort from Mills who totaled four blocks (one solo) during the set. She also added a pair of kills as well. In all, she had a hand in six of the team's 15 total set points. The Rams opened the set with a 9-3 lead before Concord battled back to cut the WSSU lead down to four points, 14-10. It was then that Owens recorded the final kill to seal the victory.

With the win, the Rams improve to 13-6. The team will return to action this weekend when the team takes part in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Round-Up in Petersburg, Virginia. For more information on Rams volleyball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on towww.WSSURams.com.