Albany, Ga. – The Albany State volleyball team gave their home fans plenty to cheer about on Tuesday night inside the Jones Brothers HPER Complex, battling to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Middle Georgia State University in their 2025 home opener. With the win, the Lady Golden Rams improved to 1-8 overall, while the Lady Knights dropped to 2-3 on the year.

The Golden Rams came out firing, taking the first two sets 25-20 and 25-16, behind a balanced offensive attack and stout defensive play. Middle Georgia responded to even the match, winning the third (25-21) and fourth (25-22) sets to force a decisive fifth. In the final set, Albany State regrouped and powered ahead late, closing with a 15-11 win to secure their first victory of the season.

Jarianis Perez led all scorers with 15 kills, 12 digs, and three service aces, finishing with 19 total points. Kaylin Teasley added a season-best 11 kills while hitting .292 and contributing three blocks. Freshman Jayda Watson chipped in 10 kills, and Maya Ogbogu was efficient at the net with six kills on .286 hitting. Setting duties were spread between Natalie Onozie (20 assists, 15 digs) and Liannette Burgos (17 assists, 9 digs), while libero Talia Smith anchored the back row with a team-high 32 digs.
The victory also marked a strong defensive showing, as Albany State totaled 12 blocks and 99 digs, frustrating the Lady Knights throughout the match.

Up Next:
The Lady Golden Rams open SIAC play on Friday, Sept. 19, when they host Allen University at 7:00 p.m. inside the HPER Complex.

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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.