The Florida A&M Women’s Volleyball team ended the month of October the way it started, by winning.
The Lady Rattlers defeated both the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central and the North Carolina A&T Lady Aggies this weekend.
The Lady Rattlers improved to 8-13 this season and 5-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
The team earned its second come from behind victory this season when it defeated the Lady Eagles 3-1 (26-24 L, 25-20, 25-20, 25-22).
Head coach Tony Trifonov said he wanted to see his team get better on offense and defense before the games this weekend.
“This weekend the areas we need to work in is improving our passing and making sure the girls keep their assignments,” Trifonov said.
The Lady Rattlers didn’t do that right away in the first game, as North Carolina Central limited the Lady Rattlers to seven kills on 21 attempts.
As the game progressed though, the Lady Rattlers returned back to their dominant form and collectively put their efforts forth for 15 team blocks, 43 assist four service aces, 46 kills and 44 digs for the victory.
The Lady Rattlers won but were not able to slow down the Lady Eagles junior Sasha Wallen and she posted another solid performance.
Wallen had 11 kills on 23 attempts and hit .348 for the game, but the Lady Rattlers’ defense stepped up and held the Lady Eagles to only a .148 hitting percentage for the game.
Florida A&M also had several players who stepped up. Middle Blocker Pamela Barrera led the attack with 13 kills, and Bianca Rucker kept the pace with 10 kills.
Outside hitter Katherine Huanec finished the attack out the double with 10 kills, four digs and two block assists. Setter Diana Gonzalez got the players into position with 40 assists for the game, and the Lady Rattlers hit .207 for the game.
Outside hitter Kiliani Davis said the team has the talent to win and be successful.
“We definitely have the ability/talent to win,” Davis said. “The game right now is all mental, we know we can win if we just come out and dominate the other team.”
Florida A&M dominated its game against the Lady Aggies and won in straight sets 25-15, 25-11, 25-13 while posting a hitting percentage of .415. Huanec led the Lady Rattlers with 12 kills, while sophomore Maria Ceccarelli had five aces for the Lady Rattlers.