TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | It's not the way Florida A&M volleyball wanted to start its 2024 season – a 3-1 loss to West Florida (25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 23-25) – but there were bright spots in the Friday exhibition (Aug. 23). 

Brooke Lynn Watts finished with a match-high 19.5 points (14 kills, four aces, and three assisted blocks) and newcomer Jada Rhodes added seven kills. Both wrapped the exhibition with seven digs. 

SET ONE | The Rattlers held a commanding 10-point lead (22-11) before conceding 10 straight points. Rhodes not only capped the rally, but she also recorded the decisive kill – her fifth of the set.  

SET TWO | Florida A&M jumped out to an early 5-1 lead, but the Argos refused to relent, narrowing the gap quite a few times before leveling the score at 15-all. Farah Farooq provided FAMU a little breathing room on the following three possessions – back-to-back kills and an assisted block – and a kill by Watts forced UWF to call timeout at 19-15. 

Unfortunately, FAMU's 4-0 run was followed by a 5-0 stretch by the visitors, who went on to take the set 25-23. 

SET THREE | The Argos maintained their pressure for a 14-4 edge at the start of the third and kept the advantage throughout. Despite the set loss, FAMU flashed signs of grit and resilience with a 12-4 run. 

SET FOUR | There were 12 ties in the set, the final at 23-23. 

The Rattlers will officially open their 2024 calendar at the Georgia State Tournament (Aug. 30-31). 

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