Graham named SIAC Coach of the Year; Golden Rams head to SIAC Championship match against Spring Hill

Staff Reports

FORT VALLEY — Albany State’s Verniece Graham was named SIAC volleyball coach of the year Monday. Two days later, her Golden Rams earned a chance to play for the conference championship.

Senior outside hitter Jarianis Perez, a first-team All-SIAC selection, led Albany State with 21 kills in a 3-1 semifinal win over Miles College on Wednesday. Senior middle blocker Shaniya Banks, who earned second-team honors, added six kills as the Golden Rams extended their winning streak to 17 matches.

Graham was selected by the league’s head coaches after leading Albany State to an 18-1 conference record. The Golden Rams (26-8) will face Spring Hill, the only team to beat them in SIAC play this season, at noon Thursday at the Health and Physical Education Complex in Fort Valley. The winner earns an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II tournament.

Albany State beat Miles 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 25-22. After Miles evened the match in the second set, the Golden Rams held the Golden Bears to six kills in the third. Albany State then put away 19 kills in the fourth to close out the match.

Perez hit .439 and added six digs and an ace. Freshman Amiria Anderson had 11 kills on 24 swings without an attack error, and Aleiah Carr added eight kills.

Setter Liannette Burgos finished with 32 assists, 15 digs and two aces. Trinity Britt added 13 assists, and Gabby Moore led all players with three aces.