TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | After a seven-game home swing, where it compiled six wins, the Florida A&M volleyball team will hit the road for a mini tournament at Grambling State. The appearance begins with matches against the host (10 a.m.) and Texas Southern (4 p.m.) on Saturday before concluding with Arkansas-Pine Bluff (10 a.m.) on Sunday.
About the Rattlers
- The Rattlers defeated the previously undefeated Jackson State, 3-0, for their 13th sweep of the season.
- With a mark of 8-2, FAMU currently sits in third place in Southwestern Athletic Conference standings. Jackson State (9-1) leads the league and is followed by UAPB (7-1).
- The team now commands a 22-9 record at home over the last three seasons, starred by an unblemished 7-0 mark in 2017.
- Gokhan Yilmaz secured his 50th as a head coach in the 3-0 decision over Alcorn State (Oct. 10); he compiled 17 in a single season at Charlotte and has 37 at the helm of FAMU.
- A 3-2 triumph over Auburn (Sept. 17) marked FAMU's first win against a Power 5 institution since 2006.
- Florida A&M holds the No. 1 spot in the SWAC in several statistical categories, including aces per set (1.85), assists per set (12.39), hitting percentage (.268), match win-loss percentage (.727), and kills per set (13.90).
- The Rattlers have recorded 10+ service aces in three games this season: Alabama State (10), Mississippi Valley (12), and Prairie View A&M (16). Dominique Turner and Irem Ucar guide the category with 22 and 21, respectively.
- Dominique Washington currently ranks seventh in the country in total kills (366) and fourth in points per set (5.56). The graduate outsider hitter is also the only athlete in the SWAC with at least 300 kills.
- Ucar is always available to lend a helping hand and leads the SWAC (ranking 32nd in the nation) in assists per set (10.64).
Scouting the Competition
- Grambling State (7-12, 4-4) is coming off of a 3-0 loss to Louisiana Tech; Tamaira Johnson sits ninth in the SWAC in blocks per game (.68) while Jada Taylor averages 4.72 digs per set (third in the SWAC).
- Thalia Cordero-Moreno leads the Tigers (6-18, 5-5) with 2.35 kills per set (10th in the league).
- UAPB (11-13, 7-1) is working a five-game winning streak. It is lead by Zyonn Smith's 2.66 kills per set (fifth in the SWAC). Kori Diego guides the league in total blocks.
