TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --The Florida A&M volleyball team knocked off the McNeese Cowboys in five sets (25-22, 11-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-9) Thursday at home at Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.
The non-conference win moved the Rattlers overall record to 2-5 on the season.
FAMU was led by a double-double from Ladonna Trantham, who registered 14 kills and 11 digs on the day. Yaricel Rodrigeuz also added nine kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Ruxandra Flueras chipped in for with 27 digs to go with seven blocks from Farah Farooq.
Game Notes
» FAMU had four players in double figures in digs.
» Ruxandra Flueras had a match-high four aces in the win.
» Ladonna Trantham registered a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs
» Florida A&M never trailed on the way to winning the third set 25-21.
» Ladonna Trantham had a team-high 14 kills for the Rattlers
» FAMU got a team-high 27 digs from Ruxandra Flueras.
» FAMU attackers were helped by a team-high 26 assists from Bengisu Kazazlar.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Rattlers opened up an early one set to none lead, winning the first set 25-22. FAMU grabbed the advantage for good at 23-22 in a set that showcased three lead changes before the Rattlerettes took over in the second half of the stanza. Florida A&M also supplemented their offense with four aces in the opening set. got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four McNeese attacks in the stanza and capitalized on 10 McNeese attacking errors on the way to victory.
SET 2 | FAMU then dropped set two 25-11, evening the match at a set apiece. The Rattlers fell behind on the first point and never took the lead before dropping the set.
SET 3 | FAMU then got back on the winning track, emerging victorious in set three and taking a two sets to one lead in the match. The Rattlers led from the first point on in the set to secure a 25-21 victory. Florida A&M opened up as much as a seven point lead at 18-11 before finishing off the set. The Florida A&M offense also got a boost from four aces in the stanza.
SET 4 | FAMU couldn't finish off a four-set win as the Cowboys forced a fifth set with a 25-21 victory. The Rattlers lost the first point and never took the lead before losing the set.
SET 5 | FAMU and McNeese went back and forth all game, trading set wins until the Rattlerettes took the fifth set 15-9 and the match. The Rattlers grabbed the fifth set propelled by a solid showing on the attacking end. FAMU put together a .333 attack percentage with seven kills in the set win. The Rattlers ended on a strong note, stretching their lead to its largest point in the set to finish out the stanza.
