ETTRICK, VA – The Winston-Salem State Rams (16-6, 12-1 CIAA) picked up one of their biggest wins of the season when the team took a four-set win over the defending Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Champion Chowan Hawks (16-6, 13-1 CIAA). In addition to giving the Rams a win over the defending champions, the win also solidified the Rams' claim as the top team in the conference.

The Rams took the win behind a great overall effort with some solid offensive play combined with some timely defense. As a team, the Rams totaled 43 kills in the match along with eight service aces. Defensively, the Rams added 11 total blocks (five solo). The tandem of senior right side hitter Olivia Owens and junior middle blocker Jocelyn Mills totaled 12 kills each while sophomore outside hitter Sydney Holland barely missed a double-double with 10 kills and nine digs.

The Rams had to battle for each set that they won as each set victory was decided by at least two points. In the end, the Rams took the win, 25-22, 17-25, 25-23, and 25-22. The match got off to a stirring start. After battling to an 11-11 tie, the Rams took control of the set with three straight points to go ahead 14-11. From there, the Rams pushed their lead to as many as five points, 21-16 before a furious comeback by the Hawks. After maintaining a 23-22 lead, the Rams closed the set with a kill from Owens and a service ace by junior setter Zipporah Foster. The second set saw the tables turn for the Rams as a 11-11 tie gave way to a 14-6 Chowan run that ended the set with the 17-25 loss for the Rams.  The third set was equally exciting with the Rams taking a 15-5 lead before Chowan cut the WSSU lead down to three points 18-15. The battle would ensue between the two teams as they played to a 21-21 tie, but the Rams would never give up their lead. After playing to a 23-23 tie, the Rams closed out the set with a kill from Mills and a Chowan attack error. The final set was another battle as neither team showed any sign of quitting. After opening the set with a 12-16 lead, the Rams saw Chowan fight back to tie the set, 18-18. Though the Rams would push ahead, 21-18 after a three-point WSSU run, the Hawks would battle back once again to leave WSSU ahead, 22-21.  From there, the Rams closed out the match with a 3-2 run that included the team taking the final two points with a Chowan service error and a kill from freshman middle blocker Christa Brown.

With the win, the Rams improve to 16-6 overall and 12-1 in the CIAA play. The Rams will return to action tomorrow when the team heads to Raleigh, N.C. to take on the Shaw Bears in a match-up between the two top teams in the CIAA Southern Division.

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.