Nov. 8, 2009
NORFOLK, VA - The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (4-32) closed out the 2009 season, Sunday with a four-set loss at Norfolk State (8-19). The Lady Rams fought hard in the loss, forcing the match to four sets after taking a three-set loss to the Spartans earlier this season, but the WSSU effort was not enough as the team ended the day with the loss.
The Lady Rams battled throughout the match with 24 total kills on 123 total attacks. However, the team was unable to bounce back after committing 29 attack errors. The Lady Rams also had a strong defensive effort with 8.0 total team blocks and 45 team digs.
The Lady Rams ran into some early struggles after allowing an early 7-3 run by the Spartans. The Lady Rams would fight back, fighting their way back into the match. A service ace by junior libero LaKeisha Hawes capped a three-point WSSU run and pulled the Lady Rams within one point, 8-9. Though the Lady Rams continued to keep the Spartans within reach, battling to a 14-15 score, a late seven-point run by the Spartans put the game out of reach for the Lady Rams and forcing the Lady Rams into a 25-17 loss in the opening set. The team would bounce back in the second set, jumping out to an early 8-4 lead. After maintaining the lead late into the set, the Lady Rams closed out the set win on a 6-2 run and sealing the 25-17 win.
The third set was another close one as the Lady Rams as the teams fought to a 13-13 tie midway through the set. It was a kill by senior middle blocker Georgette Allen that tied the set. Unfortunately, the Lady Rams weren't able to close out the effort as Norfolk State would outscore WSSU, 12-7 to end the set with the 25-20 WSSU loss. The Lady Rams ran out of gas in the final set of the match as Norfolk State dominated the whole way, taking a 25-14 win and taking the match, 3-1.
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The tandem of WSSU senior Annika Barnwell and junior hitter Ashley Harris led the way for the Lady Rams. Both players recorded six kills each, but they didn't stop there. Harris added nine digs and a pair of block assists in the match while Barnwell added eight digs with five service aces to power the WSSU effort. Junior libero LaKeisha Hawes also had a strong day with 11 digs and a service ace in the match. The match was the final one in the career for Barnwell, who finishes her career as the WSSU leader in total kills with 979 kills and 216 service aces.
For more information on Lady Rams volleyball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2909 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.
