Oct. 30, 2008
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams (4-21) will look to put a scare into their opponents when they take on the North Carolina A&T Aggies (4-21, 1-6 MEAC), Friday evening. Lady Ram fans can expect a great performance out of the WSSU squad as the team will look to score a win in their last match in front of a home crowd this season and send senior utility Valentina Pushkina out with a victory in her final home match as a Lady Ram.
Also on the WSSU agenda will be scoring a bit of payback over the rival North Carolina A&T Atgies when the team will look to avenge a 3-0 loss to the Aggies in Greensboro, N.C. earlier this season. The last meeting was a tough for the Lady Rams as the team had 14 receiving errors in the loss. The two teams were nearly even in every other category in the match. North Carolina A&T had only two more kills than the Lady Rams and only one fewer attack error. Lost in the final score, was strong defensive effort by the Lady Rams in the loss as the team had three more digs than their opponents (42-39).
The Lady Rams will also be looking to end some recent struggles as the team has taken losses in their last 10 matches, including the team's road loss to the Aggies. The team will need to turn up their offensive efforts when they host the Aggies, however, as the Lady Rams will head into the match with a .042 team attack percentage and 525 team kills. Leading the attack for the Lady Rams will be a trio of Lady Rams who have totaled over 100 kills this season. WSSU junior Annika Barnwell leads the team with 138 kills while Harris is second on the team with 112 kills.
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As she has done for her entire career, Pushkina has been one of the most versatile players on the squad as she is near the top of nearly every team statistical category. She is currently third on the team in total kills (105), second on the team in service aces (18), third on the team in assists (68), and third on the team in digs (117). She will leave Winston-Salem State University as one of the most valuable players in team history as she is at or near the top of a number of career statistics as well.
Before she leaves, however, Pushkina and the Lady Rams will take on a hungry North Carolina A&T team that will head into the match with losses in five of their last six matches. Though the Aggies currently have an offensive edge over the Lady Rams with a 706-525 advantage in total kills and a .095 to .042 edge in attack percentage, the two teams were evenly matched when they squared off on the court. Volleyball fans can expect an exciting match-up between the two squads.
The Lady Rams and Aggies are set for a 7:00 p.m. start at the C.E. Gaines Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University. 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.
