TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Rattlers enter the 2025 SWAC Tournament as the #8 seed, but this is not a typical bottom seed. Florida A&M has shown clear late-season momentum, strong defensive metrics, and one of the conference's elite individual performers—all ingredients for a dangerous postseason underdog, especially with the tournament hosted right in FAMU's own Al Lawson Center.

With home-court energy, surging form, and a roster clicking, FAMU is perfectly positioned to become the spoiler no top seed wants to face.

Why FAMU Is Built for a Deep Run

1. A Late-Season Surge Suggests a Team Peaking at the Right Time

FAMU closed the regular season winning five of its last six, including:

• 3–1 over Bethune-Cookman (a top-4 seed)
• 3–0 sweeps at Mississippi Valley and Jackson State, the latter being the #2 seed in the bracket

This late run shows FAMU has significantly elevated its level compared to its early-season struggles.

2. FAMU's Defense Is Tournament-Ready

Even as an #8 seed, FAMU enters the tournament with top-tier defensive metrics:

Opponents' Hitting Percentage — 2nd in SWAC (0.174). Only Jackson State has held opponents to a lower percentage. This speaks to FAMU's disciplined blocking, digging, and defensive structure.

Blocks Per Set — 2nd in SWAC (2.27)

Anchored by Farah Farooq, FAMU's wall at the net is its identity:

• Farooq is #31 nationally and #1 in the SWAC in hitting percentage (.394).
• She's also #2 in the SWAC in total blocks (96).

FAMU's strength matches perfectly against Prairie View's conference-leading offense.

3. FAMU Has a Real Star — and Tournament Runs Are Built on Stars

Farah Farooq (MB)

• Best hitter in the SWAC (.394)
• Top-2 in blocks
• Top-50 nationally in hitting percentage

She's one of the most efficient attackers in the entire country and creates matchup problems for every team on FAMU's side of the bracket.

LaDonna Trantham (OH)

• Nearly 3 kills/set, giving FAMU a true point-scoring outlet on the pins
• Her athleticism is a critical pressure valve when rallies get long

Together, they give FAMU a star-centered blueprint that wins postseason matches.

4. The Bracket Sets Up Nicely

FAMU draws #1 Prairie View, a team that leans heavily on offense but is not elite defensively—the exact kind of opponent that can struggle against FAMU's strengths (blocking and opponent hitting suppression).

If FAMU pulls the upset, their semifinal opponent would come from Bethune-Cookman (#4) or Alabama A&M (#5)—both teams the Rattlers have shown they can beat or push.

Add in the home crowd at Al Lawson, and the path becomes even more realistic.

Matchup Breakdown: #8 FAMU vs. #1 Prairie View

Prairie View leads the SWAC in several team categories (hitting percentage, kills per set, attacks per set), but FAMU's statistical profile is uniquely suited to disrupt them.

Three reasons FAMU matches up well:

1. Prairie View's biggest strength—fast, high-volume offense—runs straight into FAMU's biggest strength: net defense.
2. FAMU's block (2.27/set) is the second-best in the conference and is built to slow down PVAMU's high-usage attackers.
3. PVAMU is not a strong digging team; sustained rallies favor FAMU's disciplined, defensive style.

This matchup is not #1 vs #8 in quality—it's #1 vs. the team playing the best volleyball of the last three weeks.
Player Spotlight: Why Farooq Could Dominate the Tournament

Farah Farooq is not merely a top SWAC middle—she's playing at a nationally elite level:

• Hitting % (.394): Top 31 nationally
• Blocks: Second-most in the SWAC (96)
• Efficiency that forces defenses to collapse inside, freeing the pins

Tournament play often rewards teams that have a middle who can terminate efficiently and shut down the opponent's best hitters. FAMU has that advantage every match they play.

X-Factor: FAMU at Home

The entire tournament is hosted in Tallahassee, giving FAMU:

• A familiar gym
• Home fan support
• No travel fatigue
• The emotional lift of playing in front of their community

An #8 seed rarely gets these benefits—but FAMU does.

SWAC Tournament Schedule

Friday, November 21
Match 1 – No. 1 Prairie View A&M vs. No. 8 Florida A&M- 11:00 a.m.
Match 2 – No. 4 Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 5 Alabama A&M- 1:30 p.m.
Match 3 – No. 2 Jackson State vs. No. 7 Southern- 4:00 p.m.
Match 4 – No. 3 Alabama State vs. No. 6 Texas Southern- 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 22
Match 5 – Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2 - 2:00 p.m. 
Match 6 – Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4 - 4:30 p.m. 
 
Sunday, November 23
Match 7 – Championship- 2:30 p.m.