WSSU blistered St. Augustine's 25-8 in the first set but the Falcons rebounded to claim the next three sets to defeat the Rams 3-1 in a CIAA Southern Division matchup at the C.E. Gaines Center. The Rams dropped to 1-8 overall and 0-2 in division play. St. Augustine's improved to 2-0 in division play and 2-5 overall.

The Rams jumped to a quick 7-0 lead in set one behind the serving of Angel Bowden. The Durham freshman aced the Falcons for the fourth point and freshman Raven Gray closed out the rally with a cross-court kill.

After surrendering one point to St. Aug, the Rams went on another seven-point scoring spree highlighted by freshman Zoe White's tip at the net, giving WSSU a 13-1 lead.

Gray had two more kills and junior Breona Young leaped for a beautiful block as the Rams surged to an 18-5 lead.

St. Augustine's opened the second set with a commanding eight-point lead at 12-4 before WSSU began chipping away. The set was finally tied at 15. After four more ties, the Falcons took a 20-19 lead and survived to win the set 25-22.

Gray had two powerful kills in the set, and sophomore Sanaa Lanier added two kills.

In set three, the Falcons again jumped to early 9-3 lead before WSSU rallied behind three consecutive kills, two by Lanier and one by Gray, to close the deficit to 9-6.

The Falcons responded with a rally to take an 18-10 lead. The Rams would pull to within four points at 23-19, but it would be the last score as St. Aug won 25-19.

Set four was back-and-forth between the two teams. After a tie at 5-5, the Falcons would never surrender the lead, but WSSU kept the set within striking distance. The Rams would cut the Falcons' lead to one point, 22-21. St. Aug pushed its lead to set point at 24-21. WSSU scored the next two points for 24-23 deficit, but St. Augustine's closed out the set with a 25-23 win.

NET NOTES: Raven Gray was named last week's CIAA Offensive Player of the Week.

The Rams will host Bluefield State in a nonconference match on Wednesday at the Gaines Center. Match time is 6 pm.

WSSU will host a CIAA Roundup Saturday and Sunday. The Rams will play Virginia Union on Saturday and Bowie State and Shaw on Sunday.