2:50
So it has been a while. FAMU doesn’t exactly have the highest amount of home games late in the season so it has been kind of tough to blog. Well I’m back with volleyball action this time around.
We’re about 10 minutes from the opening. I’m just trying to get a feel from who looks ready to go versus who looks like they could use a little extra rest. Senior outside hitter Maria Gomez took a bite from the injury/sickness bug this season. She’s been consistent through and through though and today she looks ready to go.
Junior outside hitter Jovana Blazeski looks as deadly as ever. Every time I come to a home game she manages to crush the ball in someones face. Yes, that feeds the inner child in me. Blazeski is the team’s leader in kills and for good reason. She’s precise, accurate and merciless.
Last time I spoke with head coach Tony Trifonov he told me to expect to see more of freshman outside hitter and Lincoln High School graduate, Ashley Johnson. I’m not sure if anything has changed between these past few games, but getting a freshman some valuable experience before heading into the championship sounds like a good idea in my book.
Finally, let me say that I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more dedicated group of girls. This is their final home game of the season and they’re playing in front of a crowd of… four. Hopefully more people show up to support a great team.
Game starts soon. Keep checking back.
3:15
12-8 in the first game. Neither team looks like it’s firing on all cylinders right now. Maybe it’s the cold. Johnson got the start which is cool. She already has two kills and a block which is even cooler. Strong freshmen equal a strong future.
3:24
First time out of the game. FAMU leads 21-17. Pretty everything I said in my last post still counts here. Just add in the fact the Norfolk State’s coach seems rather angry right now.
3:26
Three straight Norfolk State points after the timeout and coach Trifonov needs a time out of his own to sort out his troops.
21-20 FAMU in the first game.
3:33
FAMU came sickeningly close to droppinng its first home set of the season. Deficits of 23-24 and 24-25 almost pushed them over the edge, but the Rattlers came back to win it 28-26.
Let’s keep the heart attacks to a minimum for the rest of the game please.
FAMU leads 1-0 (28-26).
3:51
20-16 in the second set. I think I was wrong earlier in saying that the teams didn’t look like they were really firing. Both teams are just really good. FAMU has the upper hand right now, but if football has taught me anything, momentum doesn’t really exist.
3:56
Ok so maybe momentum is real. To Blazeski, and the ball she just crushed, it is.
FAMU leads 2-0 (28-26, 25-18)
4:11
18-12 and Norfolk State needs a time out to talk things over. I was really impressed with the fire from the Spartans in set one. I guess losing such a close set can take the wind out of anyone’s sails.
4:18
Game over FAMU wins 3-0 (28-26, 25-18, 25-15)