WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State University Rams volleyball team (19-7, 15-1 CIAA) claimed the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division and the best record in the CIAA, Thursday evening when the team took a three-set win over the Livingstone Blue Bears (9-15, 4-12 CIAA). With the win, the Rams finish the 2015 regular season with a 15-1 record in the CIAA and a 9-1 record in the CIAA Southern Division to claim their second division title in the last three seasons.

Though the Rams dominated portions of the match, the team still had to fend off a feisty Livingstone team that fought for every point of the match. In the end, the Rams rolled to the win, 25-9, 25-13, and 25-15. As a team, the Rams had a strong overall effort as they totaled 29 kills while holding Livingstone to just 15 kills in the match. The team also recorded nine service aces as well. Senior right side hitter Olivia Owens led the way for the Rams with a team-high seven kills in the match while sophomore outside hitter Sydney Holland added six kills. Junior middle blocker Jocelyn Mills added five kills off the bench as well.

The Rams controlled the entire match, nearly from beginning to end as they only surrendered the lead twice in all three sets. Things looked great early for the Rams as they jumped out to an impressive 10-1 lead before pushing their lead to 13 points, 16-3. Livingstone would show some life with a run of their own as they scored three straight points to cut the WSSU lead back down to 10 points, 16-6. However, the Rams would not relent as they closed out the set with a 9-3 run that included three straight points to close out the 25-9 victory.  The second set was more competitive, but the Rams would not relent as they took their second impressive set win of the match. After playing to a 2-2 tie, the Rams scored five unanswered points to go ahead 7-2. The Rams' most impressive performance came midway through the set when the team went on an 8-1 run to take a 19-7 lead in the set. The remainder of the set was competitive with Livingstone scoring three straight points as a part of a 5-1 run that left the Rams on top, 20-12. However, the Rams would close the set with a 5-1 run of their own to seal the 25-13 victory. The third set was the most competitive set of the night with WSSU holding on to a 5-4 lead early in the set. The Rams answered the run with four straight points of their own to go ahead, 9-4. The Rams would push their lead to six points 11-5 before Livingstone answered with a four straight points to leave the Rams on top, 11-9. From there, the Rams kept the Blue Bears at bay and maintained a two-to-three point lead until they pulled away with an 8-1 run that sealed the 25-15 victory.

With the win, the Rams close out the regular season with a 19-7 overall record and a 15-1 record in CIAA play. The Rams will await the seeding for the 2015 CIAA Volleyball Championship in Fayetteville, North Carolina. 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.