Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Winston-Salem State University Rams (22-7) claimed their first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Volleyball Championship when they took a four-set win over the Shaw Bears (21-11). With the win, the Rams earned the first CIAA Volleyball Championship for Winston-Salem State in program history dating back to 1978.
The Rams were dominant for much of the match, but the team still its challenges against a Shaw team that had a lot of fight of their own. Winston-Salem State earned a 25-16 win in the opening set, but dropped a narrow 25-22 decision to the Bears in the second set. From there, the Rams took control earning a 25-15 third set win and claiming the championship with a 25-13 fourth set win.
WSSU senior right side hitter Olivia Owens recorded 12 kills in the win for Winston-Salem State. Her performance garnered her CIAA Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Junior middle blocker Jocelyn Mills added 10 kills while junior setters Zipporah Foster and Mya Snow notched 15 assists and 10 assists, respectively. Sophomore outside hitter Sydney Holland grabbed 14 digs as sophomore libero Michelle Murray-Garcia added 10 digs.
The first set featured an early battle for momentum before the Rams grabbed an 8-6 lead behind a 4-0 run off of junior outside hitter Teynia Sheperd's serves. Shaw stayed close on Winston-Salem State's heels but was unable to steal the momentum or the lead in the remainder of the set. The Rams secured the 25-16 victory in set one on a Shaw attack error.
The momentum swung to the other side of the court in the second set as the Lady Bears raced to a 10-3 lead at the start of the second set, forcing Winston-Salem to take a timeout. Down but not out, the Rams persistently chipped away at the deficit and back to take a 17-15 lead after a pair of Holland service aces. Shaw remained within striking distance and kept the score close down the home stretch of the second set. With the score tied 22-22, the Lady Bears used a kill by freshman outside hitter Kelly Murphy and two Winston-Salem State errors to secure the 25-22 set win.
The Rams fought back with a vengeance at the start of the third set and jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead. Winston-Salem State clung tightly to the advantage and maintained control for the remainder of the third set. A Mills kill secured the 25-15 victory for the Rams.
After trailing 3-1 at the start of the fourth set, Winston-Salem State rallied to score seven consecutive points behind sophomore outside hitter Jasmine Smith's serves. From there, it was all about the Rams as Winston-Salem rolled to earn the 25-13 victory. Junior outside hitter Roselyn Mitchell secured the victory with a service ace.
Three Winston-Salem State student-athletes were honored as members of the 2015 CIAA All-Tournament team as Mills and Holland joined CIAA Tournament Most Valuable Player Olivia Owens on the team.
Winston-Salem State will represent the CIAA at the 2015 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament. The Rams advance with a 22-7 overall record and await word of their opponent. The NCAA Volleyball Selection Show airs November 23rd at 7:30pm.
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.
