Bluefield, WV – Bluefield State University volleyball advances to the Semifinal round of CIAA Championships after a 3-1 victory over Winston-Salem State on Tuesday.
The Rams jumped out to an early 11-6 lead in the first set after scoring six in a row. A kill from Gabby Hale pulled the Big Blue within three, but the Rams scored the final two points to take set one over the Big Blue, 25-20.
After being down 11-7 in the second set, a kill by Brishaela McHaney sparked a five-point run for the Big Blue to take the 12-11 lead. Later in the set, a kill by the Rams put them ahead 24-22. A kill from Imani Stokes sparked a four-point run to secure set 2, 26-24.
The Big Blue took the 3-0 lead after a kill and an ace from Jannice Lynch and a kill from Fesili Masaniai, but the Rams answered with five consecutive points to take the 5-3 lead. The Big Blue answered with three of their own to take the 6-5 lead. Later, a kill from McHaney, an ace from Sydney Hoosier and a block from Masaniai and Stokes pushed the Big Blue lead to 19-12. Lynch sealed set three with a kill, 25-19.
The Big Blue scored the first six out of eight points to take the early lead. Back-to-back kills from Stokes and Hale to extend the Big Blue lead, 20-14. An ace from Hoosier got the Big Blue to match point, but the Rams began to fight back to even the score at 24. After the score being tied again at 25, the Big Blue scored the final two points to secure their spot in the semifinals, 27-25.
Final: Bluefield State 3, Winston-Salem State 1 (20-25, 26-24, 25-19,27-25)
Up Next: Bluefield State vs. Shaw University – Semifinals – Saturday, November 23rd at 4:30 p.m. – Bowie, MD.
