WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (9-5, 6-0 CIAA) had to dig deep to take a five-set win over the Shaw Bears (7-6, 3-3 CIAA), Thursday evening. In a match that was the Rams' Dig Pink match, both teams gave an inspired effort in the match. After opening the match with a 21-25 loss in the opening set, the Rams posted back-to-back set wins, 25-18 and 25-16. The Rams took an 18-25 loss in the fourth set, but closed out the match with a 15-9 win.

As a team, the Rams had a strong effort on both sides of the ball. The Rams totaled 45 kills with 26 total blocks while taking advantage of 33 Shaw attack errors. The WSSU duo of sophomore outside hitter Sydney Holland and junior outside hitter Teynia Shepherd both recorded 12 kills each to lead the Rams in the match while senior right side hitter Olivia Owens added 10 kills and four blocks (none solo). Freshman middle blocker Christa Brown added five total blocks (none solo) as well.

The Rams struggled early in the opening set of the match with Shaw taking a 16-9 lead over the Rams, but the team staged a late 5-1 rally to cut their deficit down to as few as three points, 21-24, but the Rams ultimately fell 25-21. The second and third set told a much different story as the team cruised 25-18 and 25-16. After taking a 17-14 lead, the Rams went on a 5-1 late in the set to close things out 25-18. The team kept things going in the third set when they took control after tying the set 13-13. The Rams went on a 9-2 run late in the set to close out the win.

After the tables turned in the fourth set with Shaw taking an 18-25 win, the Rams closed out the match with a fifth-set win. The Rams kept things close early in the fourth set, trailing by one point, 10-11, but soon fell victim to a nine-point run by the Bears that left the team trailing, 11-19. The Rams would stage a rally effort to pull within five points 18-23, but a Shaw kill and a WSSU attack error ended the set.

The battle continued into the final set with the Rams outlasting the Bears for the win. After playing to a 4-4 tie, the Rams took control of the set with a 7-2 run to take an 11-6 lead. From there, the Rams cruised to the win over the Bears who had already given the best that they had.

With the win, the Rams improve to 9-5, 6-0 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and 2-0 in the CIAA Southern Division. The team will return to action, Monday when the team heads to Charlotte, N.C. to take on the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls. For more information on Rams volleyball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.