BRISTOL, TN — The Winston-Salem State University women's volleyball team (2-3) opened play at the King's Classic Thursday, dropping a pair of matches inside the Student Center Complex. The Rams fell to host King University, 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-15, 25-14), before suffering a 3-0 setback to Newberry (25-12, 25-20, 25-11) in the nightcap.
GAME ONE | King, 3 - Winston-Salem State, 1
WSSU battled host King University throughout the opening match, earning a second-set victory before the Tornado closed out the match with wins in the final two sets. The Rams finished with 28 kills, five service aces, eight total blocks and 66 digs.
SET 1 | Winston-Salem State battled King throughout the opening frame, with the teams combining for five ties and three lead changes. The Rams stayed within striking distance late before King closed out the set, 25-22.
SET 2 | The Rams responded in the second set, using a strong defensive effort and timely offense to pull away from King. WSSU recorded eight kills and two service aces while limiting the Tornado to a .082 hitting percentage, securing a 25-18 victory to even the match at 1-1.
SET 3 | King regained control in the third set, building an early advantage and maintaining the lead throughout the frame. The Tornado used 11 kills and four service aces to take the set, 25-15.
SET 4 | King closed the match with a strong offensive performance, hitting .367 with 12 kills and just one attack error. The Tornado pulled away to a 25-14 victory to secure the 3-1 win.
Top Performers vs. King
GAME TWO | Newberry, 3 - Winston-Salem State, 0
The Rams faced Newberry in the second match of the day but couldn't overcome the Wolves' offensive attack, falling in straight sets, 25-12, 25-20, 25-11. Newberry finished the match with 31 kills and a .159 hitting percentage, while WSSU recorded 23 kills and 66 digs.
SET 1 | Newberry jumped out to an early lead and used a strong offensive performance to take the opening set, 25-12. The Wolves recorded 14 kills while WSSU finished with six kills.
SET 2 | Winston-Salem State responded with its strongest offensive set of the match, recording 12 kills. The Rams battled throughout the frame but Newberry maintained its advantage and closed out the set, 25-20.
SET 3 | The Wolves controlled the final set, holding WSSU to five kills and pulling away for a 25-11 victory to complete the straight-set win.
Top Performers vs. Newberry
- Aria Caldwell: 8 kills, 5 digs, 2 blocks
- Ellis: 6 kills, 12 digs, 1 service ace
- Johnson: 17 assists, 11 digs, 1 block
- Pitt: 15 digs, 1 kill
- Cuthbertson: 15 digs, 1 assist
- Turnage: 6 kills, 2 blocks
- Chesson: 3 blocks
Day One Totals
Across the two matches, Ellis led the Rams with 16 kills and 17 digs, while Johnson totaled 33 assists and 20 digs. Cuthbertson added 38 digs, and WSSU finished the day with 89 total digs and 13 blocks.
Up Next
The Rams continue play at the King's Classic on Friday taking on Saint Anselm at noon, before wrapping up the tournament against Emory & Henry at 3 p.m.
For more information on Winston-Salem State Athletics and its 12 varsity sports, visit wssurams.com.
