Despite a 0-9 record, the Florida A&M University volleyball team is optimistic about the rest of the season. The team will travel to Alabama to compete in the Auburn University Invitational this weekend.
The Lady Rattlers played two top five teams in the nation squaring off with the universities of Texas and Wisconsin.
Members of the volleyball at a recent game. FAMU Athletics photo
Veteran head coach Tanio “Tony” Trifnov isn’t worried about his team’s record this early in the season.
“It’s a start that we anticipated due to the fact that we scheduled really strong in non-conference (play). We played four top 25 teams already. It’s not as slow of start as people would think,” said Trifnov.
There are only four juniors including their captain, Yeisha Arcia. She finished with 26 kills in the Texas Tournament last weekend. Arcia said the past few games have been great for the team’s chemistry.
“We got to play together finally. I’ve seen how we play against top teams. This is our year,” said Arcia.
Arcia added that the motivation for this week is winning games. Also, she spoke highly of her young teammates.
Sophomore Dei’ja Martin leads the team with 17 blocks. She feels the rough start has made them work harder.
“The fact the we lost a few games makes us want to fight harder. The losses only push us to win,” said Martin.
Martin said the teams’ goals are to win a MEAC championship and to go the NCAA Volleyball Tournament in Oklahoma City, OK.
The Lady Rattlers will begin conference play at home on Sept. 26 against The Savannah State Tigers. Game time is set for 7 p.m.