SALISBURY, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (3-4) couldn't find any answers when the team took a tough four-set loss to the Catawba Indians (4-5), Tuesday evening. The combination of 26 WSSU attack errors, along with 42 kills by the Indians turned out to be too much for the Rams to overcome when the team took the hard-fought road loss, 25-20, 11-25, 18-25, and 17-25. 

Offensively, the Rams had a solid overall effort. As a team, the Rams totaled 32 kills, but those were just six more than the 26 attack errors. The team did manage a solid service effort with six service aces. Junior outside hitter Teynia Shepherd led the way for the Rams with 12 kills in the match. Sophomore outside hitter Sydney Holland added eight kills as well. Holland also added three service aces.

Things looked good early for the Rams, but the problems soon mounted as the Rams fell in the final three sets of the match. The opening set saw the Rams kick things into gear after a slow start. After falling into a 4-10 deficit, the Rams mounted a furious rally, scoring eight straight points to jump ahead, 12-10. Though Catawba would tie the set, 15-15, the Rams would never look back as they closed out the set with the 25-20 win.

The final three sets told a much different story with the Rams taking three straight losses. After falling into a 2-7 deficit, the Rams would never challenge and fell 11-25. The third set saw a different beginning for the Rams as they kept the Indians within reach, tying the set 14-14. Catawba ended the set with an 11-4 run that sealed the set loss. In the fourth and final set, the Rams gave every effort to keep things alive, but in the end, the Rams faded late in the loss. The Rams kept the Indians within reach, trailing 10-11, but a 5-1 Catawba run left the Rams trailing, 15-11. From there, the Rams continued their efforts, but the team could not muster any momentum. As a result, the Rams were outscored 10-6 to seal the loss.

With the loss, the Rams fall to 3-4 on the season. The team won't have long to rest as they will return to action, Saturday when they compete in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Volleyball Round Up. 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.