ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany State University women's volleyball team opened its home slate with a thrilling five-set victory over Benedict College on Sunday afternoon inside the Jones Brothers HPER Complex.
The Golden Rams battled back after dropping the opening set and ultimately defeated the Tigers 17-25, 27-25, 25-18, 14-25, 15-12. With the victory, Albany State improved to 10-8 overall and 4-1 in SIAC play, while Benedict fell to 6-5 overall and 3-3 in conference action.
Benedict grabbed the early advantage with a 25-17 victory in the opening set, but the Golden Rams responded in a tightly contested second frame. The teams battled through 13 ties and five lead changes before Albany State pulled out a 27-25 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
Albany State carried the momentum into the third set, taking control for a 25-18 win and a 2-1 advantage in the match. Benedict answered in the fourth, forcing a decisive fifth set with a 25-14 victory.
With the match on the line, the Golden Rams delivered. Albany State recorded 10 kills and hit .241 in the final set, holding off Benedict 15-12 to secure the home-opening victory. 20260927032932-225064
Jarianis Perez led the Golden Rams with an outstanding all-around performance, finishing with a match-high 21 kills on a .405 hitting percentage. Perez also added 11 digs, two service aces and two blocks to finish with a match-high 24.5 points.
Aleiah Carr added 14 kills for Albany State, while Serenity Jackson provided eight kills on a team-best .429 hitting percentage. Shaniya Banks contributed seven kills and two block assists.
The Golden Rams received balanced production from setters Liannette Burgos and Trinity Britt. Burgos dished out 25 assists, while Britt recorded 24 as Albany State totaled 60 kills on the afternoon. Myra Lopez anchored the defense with a team-high 16 digs, while Perez added 11 and Gabby Moore finished with 10.
Albany State finished the match with 60 kills, 54 assists, nine service aces, 57 digs and 12 total blocks. The Golden Rams overcame 32 attack errors to earn the five-set victory in front of the home crowd at the HPER Gym.
The win gives Albany State a successful start on its home court and moves the Golden Rams to 4-1 in SIAC play.
Albany State will remain at home on Wednesday, Sept. 30, when the Golden Rams welcome Allen University to the Jones Brothers HPER Complex. First serve is scheduled for 7 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 12 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball, and football, with all teams competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
