Rattlers Welcome Three in FAMU/FSU Tournament

9/1/2022 7:21:00 AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | The Florida A&M volleyball team will play host to Yale, Austin Peay, and James Madison in the FAMU/FSU Tournament, which also marks the Rattlers' home-opening weekend.

Friday, Sept. 2
Match 1: Florida A&M vs. Yale (12 p.m.)
Match 2: Florida A&M vs. Austin Peay (6 p.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 3
Match 3: Florida A&M vs. James Madison (1 p.m.)

The Last Outing
FAMU is searching for its first win of the 2022 season after dropping a 3-0 decision (27-25, 25-19, 25-20) to its cross-town rival, Florida State.

The opener possessed all the characteristics of an exciting set: back-and-forth action, come-from-behind rallies, and extra points. And just when it appeared that Florida A&M was on the brink of a win, the Seminoles mounted their attack. The visiting Rattlers trailed 8-3 in the early goings before striking for a 6-0 run that earned the team its first advantage of the night. Nina Sharpton recorded a pair of service aces during the stretch, and their 13-10 lead quickly swelled to 21-15. Unfortunately for FAMU, the Seminoles claimed five out of the next six points and went on to win the set, 27-25.

Florida A&M continued to strike in the second, trailing its opponent closely, until a 7-1 run allowed FSU to pull away. The scoreboard read: Florida State 16, Florida A&M 14 prior to that point, and it was the closest difference for the rest of the set.

The Seminoles led the entire third. Still, FAMU pressured with four of the last five points.

Newcomers
All five Rattler newcomers have received considerable playing time this season, including starters Brooke Lynn Watts, Nina Sharpton, and Aja Jones.

Jones commands the team's best hitting percentage (.227) and is currently pacing the team in blocks (11.0), while Sharpton leads FAMU and the SWAC in assists (100). With offensive and defensive prowess, Hudson manages a team-best 68 digs (the most in the conference) to go alongside a Rattler-high four service aces.

#1 Jada Taylor | L | 5-5 | Jr. | Chicago, Ill. / Grambling State
# 2 Brooke Lynn Watts | OH | 5-9 | So. | Odenton, Md. / Murray State
#8 Nina Sharpton | S | 5-10 | R-Sr. | Palm Beach, Fla. / N.C. State
#9 Brooke Hudson | DS | 5-3 | Sr. | Houston, Texas / Colorado State
#11 Aja Jones | MB | 6-1 | Sr. | Venice, Fla. / Florida Gulf Coast University

Recapping A Historic Season

FAMU claimed its first Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship title – in its inaugural season as a league member – in a 3-2 upset over the defending champions, Jackson State
With a record of 25-7, 14-2 in the SWAC, the Rattlers wrapped the season with their first 20-win campaign since 2006
The team worked a 12-game winning streak before meeting Florida in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament; the year also captured 18 sweeps
Dominique Washington was named the SWAC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, while Irem Ucar garnered Setter of the Year and Jessa Long, Libero of the Year
Jasmine Robinson was selected All-SWAC Second Team
Gokhan Yilmaz secured his 50th career win as a head coach in a 3-0 decision over Alcorn State (Oct. 10); he compiled 17 in a single season at Charlotte (2014-15) and currently manages 46 at the helm of FAMU

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