Mobile, Ala. – The Lady Golden Rams opened the 2025 SIAC Volleyball Championship Tournament with a statement win, sweeping the Kentucky State Thorobreds 3–0 (25–18, 28–26, 25–15) in the quarterfinal round at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center. With the victory, Albany State (17–13, 14–4 SIAC) advances to the semifinals, setting up a much-anticipated rematch against powerhouse Spring Hill College, the defending SIAC champion.
In one of their most complete tournament performances in recent years, the Lady Golden Rams dominated at the net, served aggressively, and delivered timely defensive plays to control the match from start to finish.
Set 1: Fast Start Fuels Confidence
Albany State came out sharp in the opening set, hitting an efficient .250 and keeping Kentucky State off balance with aggressive serving and balanced attacking.
Shaniya Banks set the tone early, hitting .600 in the match and powering home several timely kills.
Josiya Teague added strength on the outside with explosive swings, finishing the match with 8 kills, a .231 hitting percentage, and four block assists.
The Lady Golden Rams maintained control throughout the set, never trailing and closing strong to take it 25–18.
Set 2: A Gritty Fight in Extra Points
The second set proved to be the turning point of the match. Kentucky State pushed back with their strongest offensive showing, but Albany State responded with poise and toughness.
The Lady Golden Rams displayed true championship resilience as they fought through three tie scores and two lead changes, eventually winning a marathon 28–26 set.
Kaylin Teasley was vital in the middle, posting 6 kills (.455) and huge defensive reads.
Jayda Watson added 6 kills of her own, keeping Kentucky State guessing with smart placement and aggressive swings. The late-set pressure revealed a team determined to advance—and capable of rising in clutch moments.
Set 3: Albany State Dominates to Close It Out
The third set was all Albany State. The Lady Golden Rams hit a match-high .370 and outscored the Thorobreds by ten points, sealing the sweep with a comfortable 25–15 victory.
A balanced offensive attack contributed to one of the team's strongest sets of the season:
Erin Johnson was electric in limited action, tallying 4 kills on six swings (.667). Banks, Teague, and Teasley continued their offensive rhythm, overwhelming Kentucky State's block. Setter Mimi Harris orchestrated the offense masterfully, finishing with 13 assists, two digs, and one ace.
On the back row,
Talia Smith anchored the defense with 15 digs, while
Jarianis Perez added 11 digs and 3 service aces, proving pivotal in controlling the pace of play. Albany State finished the match hitting .229, recording 38 kills, 12 block assists, and 8 service aces in a commanding performance.
Up Next
With the win, the Lady Golden Rams advance to the SIAC Semifinals, where they will face Spring Hill College, one of the conference's most dominant programs. This rematch is one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament, with Albany State seeking redemption and aiming to secure its spot in the championship match.
The semifinals are scheduled for Friday, November 21, at 5:00 p.m. in Mobile, Alabama, with the winner advancing to the SIAC Championship Game on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
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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.
