Albany, GA – The Albany State University Lady Golden Rams showcased their dominance in the SIAC Volleyball Championship Semifinals, defeating rival Fort Valley State in straight sets (25-20, 26-24, 25-21) on Friday night at the HPER Complex. The win propels the Lady Golden Rams to the finals, where they will face Spring Hill College in a highly anticipated rematch.
The Lady Golden Rams improved to 19-9 overall and 14-4 in SIAC play, while Fort Valley State concluded their season at 15-8 overall and 12-7 in the conference. Albany State displayed a balanced attack, solid defense, and unwavering determination to claim victory in front of an energized home crowd of 543 fans.
Jarianis Perez, the SIAC All-Conference First Team honoree, led the offensive charge with a match-high 17 kills, hitting .233 while adding 11 digs and two blocks for a total of 18 points.
Joy Robinson was a standout performer with 13 kills and a team-best .417 hitting percentage, contributing significantly to the Lady Golden Rams' efficient attack.
Sydney Melton and
Jayda Watson added eight kills each, with Melton recording 15 digs and Watson hitting an impressive .389.
Liannette Burgos directed the offense with a match-high 26 assists, while
Talia Smith anchored the defense with a game-high 22 digs.
Albany State's strong start in the opening set, set the tone, hitting .378 and cruising to a 25-20 win. The second set proved to be a nail-biter with 11 ties and five lead changes, but the Lady Golden Rams held their nerve to edge Fort Valley State 26-24. In the third set, Albany State maintained control, sealing the match with a decisive 25-21 win.
Next Up
The Lady Golden Rams now turn their focus to the finals, where they will meet Spring Hill College. Earlier this season, Spring Hill handed Albany State a 3-0 loss, making this matchup a chance for redemption and a shot at the championship title.
Championship Match Details:
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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.
