FAYETTEVILLE, NC- The storybook season continues for the Winston-Salem State University Rams (21-7) when the team advanced to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Volleyball Championship match with a four-set win over the Virginia State Trojans (19-9) in the semifinal round, Saturday afternoon. After taking wins in the first two sets, 25-21 and 25-19, the Rams took a 25-27 fourth set loss to the Trojans before sealing the win with a 25-14 fourth set victory.

The Rams utilized a balanced overall attack to win the match as the team totaled 39 kills along with 26 total blocks (two solo), and 73 digs in the match. Sophomore outside hitter Sydney Holland paced the Lady Rams with nine kills while freshman middle blocker Christa Brown added eight kills in the win. Sophomore setter Mya Snow notched 14 assists while five players notched double-digit digs for the Rams. Sophomore libero Michelle Murray-Garcia led the way with 17 digs while junior setter Zipporah Foster added 14 digs. Both Snow and Syndey Holland notched 13 digs apiece as sophomore outside hitter Jasmine Smith added 10.

After a tough battle throughout the opening set, the Rams sealed the win with some clutch scores. With the score tied 21-21 late in the first set, a kill by junior middle blocker Jocelyn Mills gave the Rams a narrow edge before Winston-Salem scored three straight points behind Jasmine Smith's serves to earn the 25-21 victory. 

The second set was another exciting affair for the Rams, who trailed 16-15 in the second set before a seven-point left WSSU on top, 23-16. Virginia State rallied to score three straight points before a Lady Trojans' service error and a Smith kill secured the 25-19 win for Winston-Salem State.

The third set featured intense competition with neither team able to establish a firm grip on the momentum.  With the score tied 25-25, a pair of WSSU errors resulted in a 27-25 win for Virginia State.

After facing the challenge from the Trojans in the third set, the Rams would not relinquish control of the match as they dominated the fourth set to take the victory. After jumping to an early 10-4 lead, Winston-Salem State held on to the advantage for the remainder of the contest.  Holding a 19-14 edge, the Lady Rams scored six straight points behind Smith's serves to earn the 25-14 victory and make a return to the CIAA Volleyball Championship match for the first time since the 2013 season.

The Rams will square off against the Shaw University Lady Bears on Sunday in the CIAA Volleyball Championship match which is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. first serve. The team will be seeking its first conference championship in school history, but they will have to face a Shaw team that is enjoying an historic season of their own as the finished as the runners up for the CIAA Southern Division title and made their first appearance in the tournament since 2002.

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.