WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (7-4, 4-0 CIAA) battled their way past a tough Fayetteville State Broncos (3-6, 1-3 CIAA) team in another classic match at Whitaker Gymnasium, Thursday evening. The two teams fought and clawed for every point of the four-set match with the Rams taking the win, 25-20, 25-19, 23-25, and 26-24.

While both teams had strong performances in the match, the Rams were able to come out on top with the win. Offensively, the Rams finished the match with 45 kills. Sophomore Sydney Holland led the way for the Rams with 14 kills while senior right side hitter Olivia Owens added nine kills. Junior outside hitter Teynia Shepherd added a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs. She also added three service aces as well.

Things got going early with the two teams battling in the opening set. The Rams took control of the set early when a three-point WSSU run left the team on top, 13-9. From there, the Rams would push their lead to as many as seven points, 20-13 before Fayetteville State cut the WSSU lead down to four points, 23-19. However, the Rams were able to trade points with the Broncos before an FSU attack error sealed the 25-20 WSSU set victory.

In the second set, the two teams continued to battle with neither going ahead by more than three points for much of the set. However, the Rams took advantage of some FSU miscues on a 7-2 run that included four Bronco attack errors. 

The third set saw a reversal of fortune for the Rams with Fayetteville State taking control midway through the set. After battling to a 9-9 tie, FSU took control of the set with four unanswered points to leave the Rams trailing 9-13. WSSU would answer with a run of their own, however, as the team went on a 5-2 run and took the set lead 15-14. After taking a commanding 21-17 lead, the Rams fell victim to an 8-2 Bronco run and lost the set, 23-25.

Things were just as exciting in the fourth and final set of the match as both teams gave it their all in the match. After a strong start by the Rams gave the team an 11-7 lead, the Rams allowed a 4-1 Bronco run that left the team trailing, 12-11. The Rams soon answered with a 5-1 run of their own to take control of the set, 17-12. Things were not over, however, as Fayetteville State worked their way back into the set when a WSSU attack error capped a 9-4 Fayetteville State run that tied the set, 21-21. Though injured Holland stepped up for the final points for the Rams as she stayed on the floor to power a 5-3 run that included a two kills from sophomore setter Jasmine Smith.

With the win, the Rams take their fourth straight victory and opens Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division play. The Rams will get a bit of a break when they return to action, Monday when they head to Raleigh, N.C. to take on Saint Augustine's. 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.