BANNER ELK, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (13-7) volleyball team gave a solid effort, but the team could find no answers for the Barton Bulldogs (14-6) in the opening match of a non-conference tri-match, Saturday afternoon. The Rams struggled to get points against the tough Bulldogs' defense, falling 25-9, 25-13, and 25-14.

The Rams found points hard to come by in the loss with the team totaling just 14 kills in the match along with 24 attack errors. WSSU sophomore outside hitter Mia Herrod led the way with five kills in the match. Defensively, freshman liberto Mikayla Lytton led the way with nine digs in the match. 

The opening set was the toughest for the Rams as the team After struggling early in the match, falling behind, 3-6 to open the set, the Rams showed a bright spot when the team scored three straight points to leave the score 7-11. The run included a kill from senior middle blocker Jocelyn Mills. However, it was the only offensive score for the remainder of the set as a Barton service error was the only other score of the set for the Rams as Barton pulled away with a devastating 12-1 run that sealed the Rams' 9-25 loss.

The second set saw a better start for the Rams, but the team once again fell victim to a late run by the Bulldogs that gave the Rams the second set loss. The Rams had a highlight early with back-to-back blocks from Mills and senior outside hitter Teynia Shepherd and another by Mills and Herrod to tie the set 2-2. The Rams were able to keep things close, 9-12, but the team allowed an eight-point Barton run to fall behind 20-9 before taking the 13-25 set loss.

The third set was no easier for the Rams as the team ended the set with the match loss. For the second time in the three sets, the Rams had a slow start to the set, allowing 13 straight points to the Bulldogs. The Rams showed some life with three straight points, but the team could never quite get into the set as the team ultimately fell, 14-25 and took the match loss.

With the loss, the Rams fall to 13-7 overall. The team would go on to compete again later in the day when the team takes on the host Bobcats. 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.