It’s no secret that FAMU’s volleyball team has been a dominant force in the SWAC. The team is a two-time SWAC champion, snagging titles in 2021 and 2022, and finishing runner-up last season. With a record like that, it’s clear that FAMU volleyball is a powerhouse.
But here’s the thing: they need us, the students, to show up and show out.
FAMU volleyball’s resume is stacked. For the past three seasons, the Rattlers have been championship contenders. They’ve earned the right to play in front of a packed house. In their most recent game, on Sunday, the team demolished Alabama A&M in a dominant 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-18, 25-18). The next challenge comes today, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. as they face in-state rival Bethune-Cookman in a must-watch matchup.
Miss that? Don’t worry. They’ll be back on the court again Sunday, Oct. 13, at 1 p.m. at the Lawson Center.
So, you have two chances to show up and show out for our Rattlers.
When students pack the gym, it makes a huge difference. The energy and excitement from the crowd can fuel the team, giving them that extra edge to perform even better. Sophomore player Iyonnie Sanford, who plays outside and right side, knows firsthand how much fan support can influence a game.
“It can help us so much if our team’s energy level in our own gym is higher than the other team. If we don’t have that sometimes it’s hard to get hype and play good for your team, but if you have fans and people supporting you and watching you, it’ll definitely hype us up,” Sanford said.
FAMU volleyball is actively working to boost their fan base, and they’ve taken to social media to spread the word. Last week, the team posted a video of players handing out flyers across campus, encouraging students to come out and support their games.
The energy and enthusiasm they bring to these outreach efforts are just a taste of what you can expect on game day.
Coach Gokham Yilmaz emphasized the importance of student support for the team’s success. “As an HBCU, FAMU has that home field and community feel as a university, and we’re one of the most successful programs on campus. We play in a beautiful arena, and we play at times where it’s convenient for students to come out. So I think going back to that HBCU ‘we care about each other feel,’ it’s important that people come behind and support us in our matches,” Yilmaz said.
So, what are you waiting for? This is your chance to be part of something special. Let’s pack Al Lawson today at 6 p.m. and again on Sunday at 1 p.m. Wear your orange and green, bring your energy, and let’s help push our Rattlers to victory. It’s time to show up and show out for a team that’s made FAMU proud season after season.