Date/Time: Friday, November 7 – 6:00 p.m. EST
Location: Tallahassee, Fla. | Lawson Center
Broadcast: SWAC TV

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida A&M hosts rival Bethune-Cookman on Friday at 6 p.m. on Senior Night. FAMU will be honoring Yaricel Rodriguez and Ruxandra Flueras prior to the game.

Leading the way for the Rattlers is Farah Farooq, who ranks No. 1 in the SWAC in hitting percentage (.387) and Top 50 nationally. Her precision at the net has made her one of the toughest middle blockers to defend, and she's also a force defensively, ranking 2nd in the conference with 1.03 blocks per set.

FAMU's balanced attack has started to click, averaging 9.88 assists and 10.9 kills per set, with strong setting rhythm setting up Farooq and the Rattler front line for success. While the Rattlers sit mid-pack in service aces (1.47 per set) and digs (12.6 per set), their blocking presence keeps them in matches — ranked 2nd in the conference at 2.27 blocks per set.

FAMU's challenge will be defending a B-CU squad that thrives in long rallies, but the Rattlers' defensive wall and Farooq's high-efficiency hitting could swing the advantage in the Rattlers favor. Expect a high-energy rivalry match where FAMU looks to control the tempo early and use its frontcourt to disrupt the Wildcats' rhythm.

Key Player to Watch: Farah Farooq — Hitting .387, leading SWAC, and one of the nation's most efficient attackers.

X-Factor: The Rattlers' block defense — if it slows Bethune-Cookman's attack, FAMU can seize momentum early.

Preview Bethune-Cookman

Bethune-Cookman enters this rivalry matchup on a roll, statistically emerging as one of the SWAC's top defensive units. The Wildcats lead the conference in blocks per set (2.28), digs per set (15.49), and total blocks (214) — all of which rank among the Top 100 nationally.

Anchoring the Wildcat defense is Kaleigh Williams, who ranks No. 1 in the SWAC and Top 100 nationally in blocks per set (1.19) and 27th nationally in total blocks (111).

Alongside her, Sthefany Carvalho leads the league in digs per set (4.55) and total digs (428), giving B-CU one of the most complete defensive tandems in the conference.

Offensively, Bethune-Cookman's attack has shown steady progress, averaging 11.93 kills per set and a .195 hitting percentage, both ranking in the top half of the SWAC. Their ability to extend rallies and frustrate opposing hitters has been key to their .520 match win percentage, which ranks 3rd in the league.

Key Player to Watch: Kaleigh Williams — The SWAC's blocking leader and a tone-setter at the net.

X-Factor: The Wildcats' back-row defense, anchored by Carvalho, could be the difference in the rivalry showdown.