July 18, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - As the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams head into the 2007 season, the team will face a host of new challenges, but will do so with a wealth of talent and dedication leading the way. The Lady Rams will welcome five newcomers along with a wealth of returning talent heading into the 2007 season that will give WSSU fans a lot to look forward to.

The Lady Rams struggled to a 2-34 overall record in their first season of NCAA Division I play last season, but will build upon their struggles in 2007. This season, a full schedule of  Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play awaits the Lady Rams and will give the Lady Rams their first taste of MEAC play. The team is well-armed for the challenge with an experience group of returnees that will line up with a talented crop of newcomers that will make the Lady Rams an exciting team to watch this fall.

The Lady Rams will return with a well-seasoned squad of players with four of the team's six starters returning from last season and will have a lot of time to grow with no seniors on the 2007 roster. Junior utility Valentina Pushkina will once again lead the Lady Rams after two solid years as one of the team's premier players. The team's best overall player, Pushkina has shown that she can do everything for the Lady Rams finishing in the top three in a number of statistical categories for the Lady Rams last season. In 2006, Pushkina led the Lady Rams in assists with 572 last season. She also finished second on the team in service aces (44), third on the team in digs (168), and third on the team in total blocks (36). Pushkina was also an offensive force for the Lady Rams adding 145 total kills on 390 total attacks (.197 hitting percentage) last season.

The Lady Rams will also return a high-powered offensive attack this season with three of the team's top scorers returning. Leading the way will be sophomore outside hitter Annika Barnwell. A dynamic hitter, Barnwell led the Lady Rams with 173 kills last season. She also led the team in total attacks with 588. Barnwell added 63 service aces as well this season. She was also a great defensive player for the Lady Rams totaling 170 digs in 2006.

Leading the way on the WSSU front line will be junior middle blocker Brandi Beane. One of the tallest players on the WSSU roster, Beane will be counted upon to give the Lady Rams a solid presence in the middle both on offense and on defense. In 90 games, Beane finished the 2006 season with 36 total blocks, including nine solo blocks.

Rounding out the WSSU returnees will be junior outside hitter Jasmine Watkins and sophomore setter Lore McBroom. Both players were solid as reserves last season, but could make a much bigger impact this season with one more season of experience. Watkins played in just 78 games last season, but was solid totaling 67 kills and six service aces. McBroom also returns following a solid freshman season. After a season of learning the WSSU system and adjusting to collegiate play, McBroom should step up to make a larger impact on the Lady Rams this season.

The wealth of experience returning to the Lady Rams this season could make the team quite a formidable squad this season. However, the team will add five newcomers to the squad that will help make the Rams an even more impressive unit. Joining the Lady Rams will be five talented players, led by junior middle blocker Georgette Allen, a 6'1" addition that could join junior Brandi Beane to form a dominating front line for the Lady Rams. Freshman setter Carissa Faragke could give the Lady Rams a boost as well. Her presence could free sophomore Lore McBroom and Valentina Pushkina from setting duties and allow the duo to form a much bigger threat on offense.

Three more outside hitters will round out the Lady Rams' squad this season. Junior Erica Cole will join the freshman duo of Kaylie Fontenot and Ashley Harris to round out the WSSU squad this fall.

The 2007 Lady Rams will not be without challenges, however, as the team will complete a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season schedule along with some great non-conference match-ups. Highlighting the Lady Rams' schedule will be a pair of match-ups with local rival North Carolina A&T. The Lady Rams will meet the Lady Aggies on September 15^th in a home match-up while taking the road to face the Lady Aggies on October 6^th. The Lady Rams will also take another local rival when they head to High Point to take on the Panthers on November 6^th. The Lady Rams' match-ups with the North Carolina Central Lady Eagles will also be big this season as WSSU head coach Douglas Hunter was a long-time assistant with the Eagles. The two teams will meet up in Durham on September 18^th followed by a home match-up on October 23^rd.  With a talented group of returnees, combined with a solid group of newcomers and a challenging schedule, the 2007 Lady Rams could be in for one of the team's most exciting seasons in history.