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Rattlers Host Two in Regular-Season Finale

11/11/2022 10:56:00 AM

 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Florida A&M's volleyball team concludes its regular season schedule at home with matches versus Jackson State (Saturday) and Mississippi Valley State (Sunday). The MVSU outing also highlights Senior Day for Karina Pressoir, Mariana Donado Yepes, Irem Ucar, Aybuke Kocabiyik, and Dominique Washington.  
 
Saturday, Nov. 12 
Jackson State | 3 p.m. 
 
Sunday, Nov. 13 
Mississippi Valley State | 10 a.m. | Senior Day
 
Thank you, Seniors!
Let's pack Al Lawson Center this weekend to give our Rattler seniors a proper home send-off. Five will be celebrated prior to Saturday's match versus Jackson State. 
 
Southwestern Athletic Conference Standings
The 2022 SWAC Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 18-20 in Houston, Texas, and will be held on the campus of Texas Southern. Florida A&M, the reigning champions, was pegged to repeat in the preseason coaches' poll, and currently No. 2 in league standings. 
 
League Standings 
Alabama State (17-13, 14-1)
Florida A&M (16-12, 13-1 SWAC)
Jackson State (12-14, 11-3)
Grambling State (14-11, 11-4)
 
The top eight seeds will qualify for tournament play. 
 
Those Striking Rattlers
  • FAMU (16-12, 13-1) saw its undefeated streak come to an end in a 3-1 decision to Alabama State; the team was previously 12-0 in SWAC play and had won 24 consecutive matches versus conference opponents 
  • The Rattlers claimed their first Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship title a year ago – in their inaugural season as league members
  • Gokhan Yilmaz secured his 50th career win as a head coach in a 3-0 decision over Alcorn State (Oct. 10) last year; he compiled 17 in a single season at Charlotte (2014-15) and currently manages 62 at the helm of FAMU
  • FAMU has recorded 11 straight-set wins this season (nine against SWAC opponents) 
  • Dominique Washington, the SWAC's reigning Player and Newcomer of the Year, ranks first in the conference in kills (366); the grad notched 19-straight matches with 10-plus  
  • Aja Jones possesses the best hitting percentage in the SWAC (.342)
  • Irem Ucar maintains a league-best 768 assists, and is the only athlete in the SWAC with at least 600; she averages 10.24 assists per game 
  • Brooke Hudson leads the conference in digs (454), and has recorded at least 15 digs in 19 matches this season
All-Time Greats 
In just two seasons with the Orange and Green, Ucar sees her name listed amongst the Rattler greats in career assists. The red-shirt senior possesses 1,964 at FAMU to rank fifth all-time. 

1. Tracy Parker | 1993-96 | 4,960
2. Mariela Portocarrero | 2001-04 | 3,872
3. Delisha Peterson | 1999-02 | 2,725
4. Zaire Manzo | 2006-07 | 2,236
5. Irem Ucar | 2021-Present | 1,964

Washington also adds career records to an already impressive resume, as she sits 10th in kills and total attacks.  

Career Attacks 
1. Adriana Kostadinova | 2002-05 | 3,441
2. Maria Andonova | 2003-06 | 3,168
3. Jovana Blazeski | 2007-09 | 3,027
…
9. Kim Funchess | 1985-88 | 2,544
10. Dominique Washington | 2021-Present | 2,352
 
Career Kills
1. Kim Funchess | 1985-88 |1,569
2. Adriana Kostinova | 2002-05 | 1,563
3. Maria Andonova | 2003-06 | 1,547
…
9. Chaon Graham | 1991-94 | 945
10. Dominique Washington | 2021-Present | 930

SWAC Weekly Recognition 
The Rattlers have secured 18 weekly awards this season; the most recent was announced Nov. 9, when Brooke Lynn Watts was named newcomer of the week. The sophomore outside hitter joins Hudson with a team-best five weekly accolades. Watts was a significant contributor in the Rattler's split weekend versus Alabama State and Alabama A&M recording 20 kills (3.33 kills per set), 19 digs (3.17 digs per set), and four blocks.
 
Nov. 9
Newcomer of the Week - Brooke Lynn Watts
 
Nov. 3
Defensive Player of the Week – Brooke Hudson
Setter of the Week – Irem Ucar 
 
Oct. 19
Newcomer of the Week - Brooke Lynn Watts 
Setter of the Week – Irem Ucar

Oct. 5
Offensive Player & Newcomer of the Week – Brooke Lynn Watts
Defensive Player of the Week – Brooke Hudson
Setter of the Week – Irem Ucar 

Sept. 28
Newcomer of the Week – Brooke Lynn Watts 

Sept. 21
Defensive Player of the Week – Brooke Hudson
Setter of the Week – Irem Ucar

Sept. 14 
Offensive Player of the Week – Dominique Washington
Defensive Player of the Week – Brooke Hudson
Setter of the Week – Irem Ucar
Newcomer of the Week – Aja Jones 

Sept. 7
Defensive Player of the Week – Brooke Hudson
Setter & Newcomer of the Week – Nina Sharpton 
 
 
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