The pressure is on the Rattlers as they take on Georgia State and Georgia Southern this weekend in tennis, to try and keep their winning streak going.
The men’s tennis team has managed to win its last seven matches, giving them a season record of 7-3.
The Rattlers claimed three wins this past weekend. The team beat Alcorn State last Saturday 6-1, came back that following Sunday beating Lafayette University 4-2 and Prairie View 7-0.
“Beating Lafayette was another huge win for us,” coach Carl Goodman said. “The fact that they are a part of the Sunbelt Conference says a lot about our team and what we can do.”
“I don’t think they have ever lost to an HBCU before,” Goodman added.
The Rattlers are scheduled to compete against Georgia Sate this upcoming Saturday in Atlanta. Georgia State is currently on a five game winning streak, like the Rattlers, and is looking to keep it going.
The last time these two teams matched up with each other, Georgia State took the win.
Following Saturday’s match, FAMU will go head to head with Georgia Southern in Statesboro. FAMU has came out on top the last time they competed against Southern.
“Winning these two matches says a lot about us in our region,” Goodman said.
The Rattler’s have taken it light this past week in practice, after coming off a tough tournament this past weekend. The team has been preparing mentally as they allow their bodies to recuperate from the wear and tear of the season.
“Being on the road has been extremely demanding,” Chidi Gabriel, a sophomore from New Jersey, said. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I love it and this is what I signed up for.”
“We have a great challenge ahead of us that we want to win,” Gabriel said. “Winning this weekend’s match will be a confidence booster.”
If the Rattlers come out on top after this weekend tournament, the team has a great chance of being ranked as well as going undefeated for the remainder of the season.
“This is our biggest challenge yet,” Michael Moore said. “A challenge we want to conquer.”