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This Week in Albany State Athletics: Championship Energy Meets Season Openers

Albany, Ga. - The Golden Ram spirit is soaring high as we enter another exciting week in Albany State Athletics! The momentum continues to build after football's dominant 48-3 victory over rival Fort Valley State in the 35th Annual Fountain City Classic, securing their spot as hosts for the 2025 SIAC Football Championship. Meanwhile, women's volleyball wrapped up non-conference play last week and looks to regain stride as they return to SIAC competition following a 3-0 victory over Benedict College. In the course, women's cross country closed out their season at the NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships, proudly representing the conference among elite competition.

This week promises to be one of the most action-packed of the season, featuring the season openers for both men's and women's basketball, three critical conference volleyball matches, and the highly anticipated SIAC Football Championship Game right here in the Good Life City. From the hardwood to the gridiron, the Golden Rams are ready to showcase excellence, determination, and pride across every arena.

Women's Volleyball Preview: Lady Golden Rams Volleyball Set for Final Push Before Postseason
The Albany State Lady Golden Rams are gearing up for a pivotal week of conference play as they look to extend their win streak and solidify their spot in the 2025 SIAC Volleyball Championship Tournament. With three key matches on the schedule, every set and serve will count as Albany State aims to close the regular season on a high note.
 
The action begins Tuesday, November 11, when the Lady Golden Rams host Edward Waters University inside the Jones Brothers HPER Complex at 6:00 p.m. in a highly anticipated rematch. Albany State will look to even the season series and keep momentum rolling in front of the home crowd.
After the home showdown, ASU hits the road for its final two matches of the regular season. The Golden Rams will travel to Savannah, Georgia, for a Thursday night matchup against Savannah State at 6:00 p.m., before closing the season in Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday, November 15, against Allen University.

With postseason aspirations on the line, Head Coach and the Lady Golden Rams are locked in and ready to finish strong. Expect fierce competition, high energy, and that trademark Golden Ram determination as Albany State fights to earn its place among the SIAC elite. Women's Basketball Preview: Lady Golden Rams Tip Off the 2025-26 Season with Exhibition Matchup at Bethune-Cookman
The Albany State University Lady Golden Rams are set to open the 2025-26 women's basketball season under the direction of Interim Head Coach Todd Triplet, who will make his debut leading the program. The Lady Golden Rams will travel to Daytona Beach, Florida, to face Bethune-Cookman University in an exhibition game on Tuesday, November 11, at 3:30 p.m.

This matchup marks the first meeting between the two programs since 1988, reigniting a historic rivalry that stretches back several decades. In their last contest on November 19, 1988, the Lady Wildcats edged the Lady Golden Rams with a close 55-49 victory. Overall, Bethune-Cookman holds a 5-3 series advantage, while Albany State's last victory in the series came on February 2, 1981, in a hard-fought 78-59 road win.

The exhibition will serve as a valuable early test for a young but determined Albany State roster as Coach Triplet begins a new era for the program. Fans can expect to see the Lady Golden Rams showcase their renewed energy, defensive grit, and team chemistry developed throughout preseason training.

As the Lady Golden Rams hit the floor in Daytona Beach, all eyes will be on this new chapter—one built on growth, resilience, and the drive to reclaim their place among the SIAC's top contenders.  
Men's Basketball Preview: Golden Rams Set to Open 2025-26 Season at the 4th Annual SIAC/GSC Challenge
The Albany State University Men's Basketball Team is ready to tip off the 2025-26 campaign under the leadership of Head Coach Patrick Gayle, who enters his eighth season at the helm. The Golden Rams will begin their season on the road at the 4th Annual SIAC/GSC Challenge in Wilberforce, Ohio, where they will face two tough Gulf South Conference opponents.

Albany State opens play against West Alabama on Friday, November 14, at 6 p.m., followed by a matchup with Mississippi College on Saturday, November 15, at 6 p.m. The Golden Rams are no strangers to these opponents—during last year's challenge, ASU started strong with a 59-56 victory over West Alabama before narrowly falling to Mississippi College 56-58 in a hard-fought contest.

Coach Gayle, who guided the team to an 18-12 record and a quarterfinals appearance in last season's SIAC Tournament, returns a veteran group of 10 players along with five talented newcomers. This blend of experience and fresh energy has the Golden Rams poised for another competitive run as they navigate a schedule featuring three non-conference matchups and 24 conference games.

With strong leadership, renewed depth, and championship aspirations, Albany State looks to set the tone early in Ohio as they aim to make a statement in the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season.  
Football Preview: Albany State Set to Host Benedict in 2025 SIAC Football Championship Rematch
The stage is set for the 2025 SIAC Football Championship, as the Albany State Golden Rams will host the Benedict College Tigers on Saturday, November 15, at 1:00 p.m. at the ASU Coliseum. The highly anticipated matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN+, bringing national attention to two of the conference's top programs as they clash for the league's ultimate prize.

This year's championship marks a rematch of the 2023 SIAC title game, where Benedict captured the crown in Atlanta, Georgia. However, the narrative has shifted in 2025. Nearly three weeks ago, the Golden Rams made a statement with a 31-3 victory over the then-ranked Benedict Tigers, asserting dominance on both sides of the ball and taking control of the conference standings. The win propelled Albany State to the No. 1 seed and solidified its return to the championship stage.

Under the direction of Head Coach Quinn F. Gray Sr., now in his third season, the Golden Rams have showcased one of their most complete seasons in recent memory. Albany State enters the title game with a 9-1 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in SIAC play, marking Coach Gray's second championship appearance in three seasons. His leadership has helped reestablish the Golden Rams as one of the premier programs in NCAA Division II football.
 
On the other side, Head Coach Ron Dickerson Jr. leads the Benedict Tigers into their first championship appearance under his leadership. The Tigers (9-1, 7-1 SIAC) are seeking redemption and a chance to reclaim the title they last won in 2023. Known for their defensive tenacity and explosive offensive playmakers, Benedict will aim to avenge their earlier loss and spoil Albany State's home-field advantage.
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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.
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