Box Score ETTRICK, VA- The Virginia State University volleyball team secured a spot in Saturday's CIAA Semifinal match with a 3-1 victory over Winston-Salem State University on Friday, Novemeber 18.

Virginia State University entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the CIAA Northern Division while Winston-Salem State University represented the Southern Division as the No. 3 seed from the Southern Division.

Sydney Uko led all players in the contest with 20 kills for Virginia State.  Tiara Ramey added 13 kills in the victory with Tiara Ramey notching 17 digs.  Adriana Hazou added 15 digs in the contest with Miranda Bass and Alexsys Pullen combining for 36 assists. 

Jocelyn Mills tallied 13 kills for Winston-Salem State.  Mya Snow notched 15 assists with Mikayla Lytton and Sydney Holland tallying 17 digs and 12 digs, respectively. 

The Rams captured a 25-23 win in the opening set, but the Trojans stormed back to pick up victories in the next three sets.  Virginia State topped Winston-Salem State 25-16 in both the second and third set before edging the Rams 25-21 in set four. 

The Rams jumped out to a quick 14-7 lead by the midway point of set one and took advantage of the momentum early.  Down but not out, Virginia State clawed their way back and orchestrated an 11-4 run to knot the score 18-18.  Both teams matched each other point-for-point down the final stretch of set one.  With the score tied 23-23, a kill by Mills and a Trojan attack error secured the 25-23 win for the Rams. 

The Trojans raced to an early 4-1 lead in set two and pulled away 13-6 by the midway point.  Winston-Salem State refused to back down, using a 7-3 run to pull within three points (16-13). Ultimately, the Rams were unable to recover from the early deficit and Virginia State built on the momentum to secure a 25-16 win in set two.

Virginia State gained an early 7-2 lead in set three. Winston-Salem State worked to stay within striking distance but trailed in the remainder of the set before suffering the 25-16 setback. 

The fourth set was an all-out battle right from the start.  Virginia State managed to pull away 17-10 late in the set, but Winston-Salem State clawed their way back with a 7-3 run to pull within two points (20-18) and shift the momentum back in favor of the Rams.  The Trojans dug deep to maintain the lead down the final stretch of set four and secured the 25-21 set win with a kill by Pullen.    

The Trojans advance to CIAA Semifinal action with a 19-9 record and will take on Shaw University on Saturday, Novemeber 19 at 5pm.   The Rams' season comes to an end with an 18-14 overall mark.

For more information on VSU Trojans volleyball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.