Box Score Elizabeth City, NC – Vikings Volleyball is headed to their first CIAA semifinals since 2008 after taking down Winston-Salem State University in straight sets, 25-16, 25-16, 25-19, in the R.L Vaughan Center on Tuesday night.
 
ECSU improved to 27-5 overall, punching their ticket for a trip to Bowie, Md, where they will face the reigning CIAA Champion Broncos of Fayetteville State University at 5:30 pm Saturday on the campus of Bowie State University.
 
The Vikings defense was impressive; ECSU ended the night with 41 digs while holding the Rams to a low hitting percentage, with no attackers reaching double-figures scoring. The Vikings also showcased their with three players near ten kills, aces, and blocks during the match—also a testament to why head coach David Brooks is the 2021 CIAA Volleyball Coach of the Year.
 
Rookie of the Year, Jada Rouse (Rock Hill, SC), was all over the court with nine kills, eight digs, and three aces. All-CIAA Second Team outside hitter Aasia McNeil (Statesville, NC) also got in on the action recording nine kills, four aces, and a single assist. All-Rookie team member Mariah Griffin (Virginia Beach, VA) dished out eight kills and four big blocks for the Vikings. All-CIAA First Team setter Elizabeth Kellum (Jacksonville, NC) had 30 assists, eight digs, and three blocks. Freshman libero Naijya Legget (Atlanta, GA) recorded double-digit digs on with 12. 
 
Winston Salem came out swinging in the opening set, scoring the first three points of the match from attacks in what would become their only lead of the set. However, ECSU quickly responded with six unanswered points to jump out in front 6-3. From there, the Vikings continued to control the pace of the match before cruising to the end of the set. 
 
Feeding off of the first set win, the Vikings maintain the lead in the second set from start to finish and quickly climbed to a 16-5 advantage. ECSU ran away with the second set, closing the frame 25-16. 
 
The third set brought out an intensity from Winston-Salem that had been missing most of the match. Both teams traded points. However, the Vikings found themselves slowly inching ahead. ECSU forced the Rams to call a timeout at 16-11. From the timeout, the Rams found a couple of points but not before the Vikings put the match away at 25-19. 
 
The Vikings will continue its CIAA playoff run and travel to Bowie, MD, to face Fayetteville State University in the semifinal match at 5:30 pm on Saturday. ECSU volleyball previously beat FSU earlier this season at the CIAA round-up in an exciting four set match. 
 
Follow Elizabeth City State Athletics via its official website at www.ecsuvikings.com to get pre-and post-game stories and updates.
 
ECSU Athletics is also on social media, follow us on Twitter at @ECSUVikings and Instagram at @ecsusports