GRAMBLING, La. | The top-seeded Florida A&M volleyball team will advance to the semifinal round of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament after defeating No. 8 Grambling State Friday (Nov. 22) 3-1 (25-13, 22-25, 25-11, 26-24) in the opening round. 

The Rattlers were led by the double-doubles from Iyonnie Sanford, who managed 11 kills and 15 digs, and Brooke Lynn Watts, who added 16 kills and 19 digs. 

Game Notes

» Iyonnie Sanford and Brooke Lynn Watts both put up double-doubles in the win.
» Florida A&M had four players in double figures in kills: Watts (16), Isis Williams (12), Brookelynn Thomas (11) and Sanford (11). 
» Florida A&M had four players in double figures in digs: Watts (19), Sanford (15), Tinons Galmés (12), and Bryshanna Brown (10). 
» Florida A&M never trailed on the way to winning the first set 25-13.
» Florida A&M attackers were helped by a match-high 26 assists from Makenzie Taylor.

How It Happened

SET 1 | The Rattlers took control on the first point and never trailed to win the first set 25-13. Florida A&M led by 14 points at 23-9 before finishing off the set, totaling 16 kills in the set. 

SET 2 | Florida A&M lost the second set 25-22 to even the match 1-1. The Rattlers dropped the first point and never took the lead before dropping the set.

SET 3 | Florida A&M led by as many as 15 points at 22-7, collecting 17 kills along the way.

SET 4 | FAMU survived a back-and-forth set to win that featured two lead changes and was tied 10 times. Neither team was able to grab a lead larger than four points along the way. Watts concluded the match with back-to-back kills. 

The SWAC Tournament continues Saturday. The Rattlers will take on the winner of No. 4 Bethune-Cookman/No. 5 Texas Southern on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET.