FAMU Lady Rattlers Ready For MEAC Tournament Title Run

FAMU VOLLEYBALL
(COURTESY FLORIDA A&M ATHLETICS)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- The Florida A&M Lady Rattler volleyball team is gearing up to close the season with a Sunday home game against arch-rival Bethune-Cookman.  The Lady Rattlers come into the contest undefeated in the conference and on a 10-game winning streak.  They currently sit at 13-6 overall and a perfect 9-0 in conference play.

The game has been designated Senior Day and “Pack The Pit” day.  We encourage all Rattler fans to come out and join us as we have a host of festivities planned.  Along with our broadcast partners, Cumulus Radio, we will have DJ Speedracer spinning the latest hits, the FAMU cheerleaders, the Marching “100” pep band and of course Venom will keep the game exciting.

This will be the last contest for the Lady Rattlers before they head to Baltimore, MD next week to try to regain the MEAC title.  FAMU hopes to continue the momentum right into the conference tournament.

Last week, MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas, confirmed that the FAMU Lady Rattlers were eligible for postseason play.  Initially the NCAA placed the Lady Rattlers on secondary probationary status, which would have disallowed them to compete in the volleyball championship, but a resubmission of the data, moved the team from the second-degree level.

Interim athletic director Michael Smith was pleased with the designation.  “I would like to thank all of our team who worked to make the necessary adjustments with the NCAA, who just needed clarity on one particular matter.  We look forward to our ladies competing for the MEAC championship this season,” Smith said.

The Lady Rattlers have led the southern division all season, and look poised to make a significant run at the MEAC crown.  “We were a tiebreaker away from winning the conference last season.  With the addition of our new players, we hope that it will take us back to the top of the conference.  Over the last decade, the level of play in our conference has escalated tremendously.  There are now several good teams, and nationally-ranked players in the MEAC, so to win the tournament, you must play solid volleyball, Trifonov said.

Admission to Sunday’s game is free and the game will be carried via
Rattler Vision free of charge, for those who can’t make it out to the Lawson Center.  The broadcast begins at 2 p.m. and the game starts at 3 p.m.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION