HOUSTON, Texas | Florida A&M (8-10, 4-1 SWAC) defeated Southern, 3-2, in its first match of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Volleyball Cluster on Sunday (Oct. 8). 

Three Rattlers finished in double figures in kills: Brooke Lynn Watts (18), Iyonnie Sanford (14), and Emerald Jacobs (10). A balanced defensive effort also saw Brooke Hudson (34) and Camila De La Rosa (22) post 20-plus digs.

Game Notes

» Florida A&M led the second and fourth sets from start to finish. 
» Watts and Hudson respectively posted match highs in kills and digs. 
» Florida A&M attackers were helped by a match-high 42 assists from De La Rosa.

How It Happened

SET ONE | The Rattlers eyed an early 4-0 deficit before embarking on a 7-1 run. Four ties ensued, and neither side could separate until Southern recorded four straight points. The opposition held a 17-13 edge at the end of the rally, and it never surrendered its advantage despite being outscored 6-3 to conclude the set. 

SET TWO | FAMU's momentum poured into the second set, where it jumped out to an early 9-1 lead. It remained in front the entire frame.

SET THREE | Things were close until the midpoint of the frame; SU never trailed after the 10-all stalemate, but the score remained within a few points until a Watts' kill settled things at 18-16. Southern crowned the set on a 7-2 run to cement its 2-1 advantage. 

SET FOUR | The Rattlers led the entire way, but after trailing by as many as eight, Southern pieced together a 6-2 run to pull within one, 21-20. Sanford provided a little space on the following possession and was 1/2 of the blocking duo that helped the Rattlers to set point. 

SET FIVE | Isis Williams was a part of three blocks on the day, and her solo effort in the fifth provided FAMU a 10-5 lead. Southern battled from there for a 12-11 score, but the Rattlers held on with three of the next four points.