BOWIE, MD – The Winston-Salem State Rams (4-4, 1-0 CIAA) got on the winning track, Saturday morning when the team claimed a four-set win over the Lincoln (Pa.) Lions (0-8, 0-1 CIAA) to open Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play, Saturday morning. The Rams claimed the four-set win in style when they won 25-18, 25-15, 23-25, and 25-20.

The Rams took the win behind a balanced attack. Offensively, the Rams totaled 51 kills in the match with 20 service aces. The team also added 10 total blocks (two solo) as well. WSSU senior middle blocker Jocelyn Mills led the way with 12 kills in the match while junior outside hitter Sydney Holland added 10 kills. Senior outside hitter Teynia Shepherd added three kills with five service aces and 10 digs.

The opening set of the match was a tough one as the Rams used a late rally to pull away with the 25-18 victory. Things were close in the set as the Rams held a slim 10-9 lead, but the Rams soon pulled away when the Rams pulled away with a 7-2 run that put the team ahead, 17-13. After holding on to the four-point lead, 21-17, the Rams closed things out with a 4-1 run that sealed the 25-18 win.

The second set was another strong one for the Rams when the team rolled to an early lead and then held off the Lions to claim the set win. The Rams opened the set with a 15-5 run that gave the team 10-point lead in the set before pushing their lead to 12 points, 23-11 before Lincoln (Pa.) staged a late 4-1 run that left the Rams leading 23-15 before WSSU closed out the set with a Holland kill, followed by a kill from sophomore outside hitter Mia Herrod that ended the set.

The battled continued into the third set where the Rams faded late in a tough 23-25 set loss. The two teams played to a 20-20 tie before the Lions scored three of the four points to hand the Rams the loss.

In the fourth set, the Rams bounced back in a big way. The Rams took control of the set early with an 11-2 run, but Lincoln (Pa.) struck back with six straight points to cut the WSSU lead down to three points, 11-8. From there, the Rams' lead was erased when Lincoln (Pa.) scored on four straight points and tied the set 18-18. The Rams would remain in top, however as they closed the match with four straight points to seal the 25-20 set win.

With the win, the Rams improve to 4-4 overall and 1-0 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team would return to action later in the day when they face the Virginia Union Panthers. For more information on Rams volleyball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (33^) 750-2143 or log on towww.WSSURams.com.