WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (4-4, 1-0 CIAA) took an impressive victory to open the 2015 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Volleyball Round when the team took a three-set victory over the Lions of The Lincoln University (0-2, 0-1 CIAA). The Rams clicked on all cylinders in all three-sets of the match as the team cruised to the 25-11, 25-18, and 25-22 victory.

The Rams took the win behind their best overall effort of the season. Offensively, the Rams totaled 40 kills in the match while holding the Lions to just 14 kills. Junior outside hitter Teynia Shepherd led the way for the Rams with nine kills in the match while the sophomore tandem of Sydney Holland and Jasmine Smith both recorded eight kills each in the match. Smith also added 20 assists while sophomore setter Mya Snow had a career-high eight assists in the match.

The match was an exciting one for WSSU fans as the team dominated the first two sets, but had to claw their way to the third set victory. The opening set was by far the best for the Rams as the team totaled 16 kills while holding the Lions to just two for the set. The Rams opened the set building a dominating 13-4 lead before closing the set with a 6-2 run that gave the team the 25-11 win. The impressive play continued in the second set for the Rams when the team built a 13-6 lead. The Lions fought back, however to cut the WSSU lead down to just five points, 20-15, but a 5-3 WSSU run closed out the set and took the 25-18 win. The final set was the most exciting one as it was the Lions who struck first with WSSU falling behind 5-9. However, the Rams fought their way back with a 5-1 run to tie the set, 10-10. From there, the Rams took control of the set and built a 20-13 win after a five-point run. However, the Lions showed some fight later in the set with a four-point run of their own that cut the WSSU lead down to just one point, 23-22. From there, the Rams benefitted from a pair of Lions errors to take the 25-22 victory.

The Rams will return to action later today when the team takes on the Bowie State Bulldogs in a 6:00 p.m. match. 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.