WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams (8-5) fought their way past scrappy Bluefield State Blues (7-8), Tuesday evening for their second straight four-set victory. The Rams showed both ends of the spectrum throughout the match as the team dominated some portions of the match, but had to dig deep get past a Blues team that refused to quit. In the end, it was the Rams who came out on top, 25-17, 25-22, 23-25, and 25-17.

The Rams took the win behind one of their best offensive performances of the season as they totaled 42 kills in the match with 19 attack errors. WSSU senior outside hitter Teynia Shepherd had her second straight double-double effort with 11 kills and 10 digs in the match with just five attack errors and five total blocks (none solo). Sophomore outside hitter Mia Herrod added eight kills while the tandem of senior middle blocker Jocelyn Mills and junior outside hitter Sydney Holland both recorded seven kills each.  

The Rams had one of their best performances of the match in the first set. The Rams opened the set with a 6-3 lead before building their lead to as many as six points 21-15 when a pair of Shepherd kills highlighted a 4-2 run that sealed the set victory.

The second set saw another strong effort by the Rams, but the team had to fend off the Blues who made a strong stand during the set. Things stayed close early with the Rams and the Blues playing to a 12-12 tie. The tie continued until the score stood at 18-18. After a Herrod kill gave the Rams a 23-21 lead, the Rams closed out the set with a Bluefield State service error and forced an attack error.

The third set saw the momentum swing to the other end of the court. After the Rams built a 20-11 lead, the team not only saw their lead evaporate, but ended the set on the bad end of a 14-3 run by the Blues that sealed the WSSU 25-23 set loss.

The final set saw the Rams round back into form, but the team had to fend off the Blues in order to claim the victory. After playing to an 11-11 tie to open the match, the Rams took control with five unanswered points to jump ahead 16-11. Once in control, the Rams never looked back as pushed their lead to seven points, 22-15, the Rams closed the match with three straight points on a pair of Bluefield State attack errors and a Shepherd kill.

With the win, the Rams improve to 8-5. The team will return to action on Saturday when they host the annual Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Round Up. The Rams will take the court against Virginia State in a noon match against Virginia State in Whitaker Gymnasium. 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.