TALLAHASSEE, FL (Sept. 27) – The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers (3-10, 1-0 MEAC) defeated the winless Norfolk State Spartans (0-10, 0-1 MEAC) in the MEAC home opener tonight. It took five sets for the Rattlers to scrape out the 3-2 win over NSU.  Maria Garcia led all scorers with 16 kills, while collecting a double-double with the addition of her 10 digs.

The Spartans took the first set, winning the deuce at 28-26.  The Lady Rattlers would rattle off two consecutive wins 25-16 and 25-17. NSU fought through a tough fourth set to get the 25-23 win, forcing the fifth and deciding set.  The Rattlers would escape with a 15-13 final set for the match.

Alyssa Brown carded 13 kills for the Rattlers while Alexis Gosha added 11.  Elena Dimitrova dished out a game-high 22 assists with Ilayda Nurkan assisted with 18.  Celeste Rodriguez has 21 digs for the orange and green.  Dimitrova and Gosha carded 11 each.

For the Spartans, Anna Rupertova led the team with eight kills.  Bojana Bolozan and Jannel Ezeagwu each scored seven.  Makeny Johnson led the Spartans with 20 assists, while Jill Aquino added 11.  Myleah Carter led NSU with a game-high 22 digs.  Halley McKnight and Julisa Carrizosa each carded 20 and 14 digs respectively.

The Lady Rattlers will host the defending MEAC champion Howard Bison in a Sunday match at the Lawson Center with a 3PM start.  Admission to all FAMU volleyball games is free.

Keep up with all the action on the official Website of the Rattlers, FAMUAthletics.com