TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | The Florida A&M volleyball team staged an impressive comeback in its 3-2 home-opening win over North Florida (30-32, 29-27, 25-23, 17-25, 11-15).
The Rattler offense was led by season-highs from Brookelynn Thomas and Brooke Lynn Watts, who respectively posted 20 and 17 kills. Watts also added a season-high 14 digs in her second double-double of the season.
SET ONE | The early goings were riddled with attacking and serving errors from both sides, but things began to settle following a kill from the recently named SWAC Newcomer of the Week. Thomas provided the Rattlers a 9-8 advantage, and they maintained their lead until the Osprey's 16-15 edge.
The match was knotted nine times after that and FAMU walked away with the set win on another Thomas kill and a block by Isis Williams and Watts.
SET TWO | With 10 ties, the second set proved to be just as intense as the first. The Rattlers trailed by as many as five, 21-16, before embarking on a 7-2 run to even things at 23-all and were on the brink of a set win at 29-27 when a successful challenge shifted the momentum.
SET THREE | The Ospreys had an early lead until the Rattlers posted a 5-0 run – highlighted by four consecutive aces by Jada Rhodes. An Alexandra Koleva service ace tied things at 23-all for FAMU's final point of the set.
SET FOUR | A strong attacking performance, backed by a .393 attack percentage and 14 kills, helped FAMU secure the win.
SET FIVE | Florida A&M registered a .353 attack percentage with seven kills, and took control for good at 12-11.
Florida A&M returns to Al Lawson Center this Friday and Saturday for the FAMU Tournament presented by AT&T Dream in Black. The three-match schedule will feature action against Southern, New Orleans, and Jacksonville are all scheduled to compete.
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