ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The Winston-Salem State University volleyball team (14-11, 10-8 CIAA) fell to Claflin University (12-17, 6-12 CIAA) 3-1 on Thursday at Tullis Arena, dropping the match 25-23, 21-25, 25-20, 25-22.
Holiday Ellis led the Rams with 19 kills and 19 points, while
Kamiyah Wilson contributed eight kills, five total blocks and two service aces. Winston-Salem State finished with 53 kills, one shy of Claflin's 54, but the Panthers held advantages in hitting percentage (.174-.138), digs (75-68) and total blocks (11-7).
The Rams recorded seven service aces, led by
Jewel Pitt's three, but committed seven service errors compared with one for Claflin.
Zaria Keys distributed 28 assists and added eight digs, while
Kalyn Cuthbertson led the Rams with 16 digs.
WSSU opened the match by overcoming an early two-point deficit with a six-point run. Pitt served five consecutive points, including back-to-back aces, while Ellis added two kills to give the Rams a 6-2 advantage. The teams traded points throughout the set, with WSSU receiving kills from
Skylar White,
Alyssa Noble,
Sarah Sanders and Ellis. The Rams later trailed 18-17 but stayed within striking distance behind late kills from
Kamiyah Wilson and Sanders. Ellis brought WSSU within one at 24-23 before Claflin closed the set, 25-23.
The Rams responded in the second set, overcoming a 15-14 deficit to take control. A block by Noble and
Zoe Chesson gave WSSU a 16-15 lead before consecutive Wilson kills extended the advantage to 19-16. After Claflin pulled within one at 20-19, the Rams scored four consecutive points, highlighted by a Pitt service ace, a Pitt kill and an Ellis kill off a Keys assist. Claflin fought off two set points, but Ellis delivered the decisive kill to secure a 25-21 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
Claflin took control of the third set with a seven-point scoring run that turned a 9-9 tie into a 16-9 advantage. WSSU continued to battle, receiving kills from Wilson, Ellis, Sanders and Chesson, while
Tiffany Blakely added a service ace. Sanders' kill and a Claflin attack error brought the Rams within two at 21-19. However, the Panthers scored four of the final five points to claim the set, 25-20.
In the fourth set, WSSU established an early 6-3 lead behind an Ellis kill, a block by Chesson and
Celina Johnson, and a Blakely service ace. The Rams later erased a deficit to take a 15-13 advantage, with Ellis contributing a kill and Claflin committing multiple attack errors. The Panthers regained momentum and moved ahead 22-19, but consecutive Ellis kills brought WSSU even at 22-22. Claflin answered with three straight points to close the set, 25-22, and secure the match.
Rams Top Performers
Up Next
Winston-Salem State returns home to host Johnson C. Smith University on Monday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. at Whitaker Gymnasium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
For more information on Winston-Salem State University athletics, visit wssurams.com.
