Sunday afternoon the Lady Rattlers continued their dominance over their Mid Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) counterparts when they defeated North Carolina A&T in four out of five sets. The Lady Rattlers finish the regular season undefeated in conference play.
Coach Tanio Trifonov was happy to finish the season strong, he said “ It feels good to go undefeated in the conference but as a coach I always feel we can do better.” The lady rattlers won the first set 25-11 and then lost the second set 22-25 but quickly got back to their winning ways but taking the next two sets 25-18 and 25-21.
Coach Trifonov wants his team to stay consistent and not get too comfortable if they are going to do well in the postseason, he said “ We can’t relax when we win a set by a big score margin, we have to stay consistent and not play point for point, our opponents are not going to quit, they want to win too.”
The Rattlers feel optimistic going into the tournament, Starmichael Tucker, senior outside hitter and middle blocker said “ We really confident, Hampton and Howard are tough but we fear them just as much as they fear us but we will be fine.”
The rattlers haven't won the MEAC title since 2009 but seem focused on their goal. Dei’ja Martin, senior middle blocker said “ This year's team feels different we have fire, our team is young healthy and fresh and have a fire to win.”
The Lady rattlers finish the season with a 15-11 overall record but a 10-0 record in conference play, they now set their eyes on the MEAC championship. When Martin was asked about how she would like her senior season to end, she replied “ To win MEAC and the first round in NCAA tournament.”