The Florida A&M volleyball team went 2-1 in McNeese State’s Cowgirl Invitational, improving its overall record to 7-3.
The Rattlers (7-3) defeated New Orleans 3-0, marking their second victory over the Privateers this season. Sunday’s scores were 25-21, 25-12, 25-21. Jada Rhodes led the team with a double-double, recording 10 kills and 10 digs.
Despite a strong defensive effort from UNO, which recorded 23 digs in the first set, FAMU’s blocking and attack, spearheaded by standout Brooke Lynn Watts, secured the win.
Watts said, “I think this weekend went pretty well for us as a team; we learned a lot. The second game we played was a tough loss, but it gave us a good idea of what we need to fix moving forward. We are all ready to get back in the gym this week to work harder and prepare for the games to come!”
The Rattlers began the tournament with a 3-1 victory over the University of the Incarnate Word on Sept. 13. Rhodes and Watts each recorded double-doubles in that match, with Rhodes totaling 11 kills and 17 digs and Watts adding 18 kills and one dig.
FAMU initially trailed in that match, losing the first set 17-25, but rallied to win the final three sets, including a dominant performance in sets 3 and 4.
The Rattlers faced a setback in their next match, falling to McNeese State 3-0 and ending their five-match winning streak.
Watts led the team with 11 kills against McNeese State, marking her ninth consecutive match with double-digit kills. Tinons Galmés recorded a team-high 12 digs, and Alexandra Koleva added a match-high 19 assists.
The Rattlers will next compete in the Ragin’ Cajuns Classic in Louisiana from Sept. 20-21, where they will face Southeastern Louisiana, Louisiana, and Jacksonville State.