THE HILL | Fresh off a five-set victory on Friday night over Bethune-Cookman, the Alabama A&M University volleyball was put to the test again on Sunday, holding off Florida A&M, 3-2, in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) match at T.M. Elmore Gymnasium.
It was a slow start for Alabama A&M, but the Bulldogs rallied to take the first set, 25-22. Florida A&M bounced back, winning the second set, 25-23. The Bulldogs had three match points in the third set, before putting away FAMU, 27-25. Back came the Rattlers in the fourth, with a 25-21 victory to set up the deciding set. AAMU raced out to a 7-1 lead in the fifth set and didn't look back in winning the match, 15-5.
The Bulldogs are 3-0 in five-set matches this season and now are off to their best start in conference play since 2018 when AAMU opened SWAC play 16-0.
Alabama A&M (13-3 overall, 4-0 SWAC) finished with 60 kills, 63 digs, 60 assists, nine service aces and 8.0 total team blocks.
Rayishon Jackman led the Bulldog offense with a double-double of 17 kills and 13 digs, along with four assists and two service aces.
Fatima Ramirez also added a double-double of 13 kills and 12 digs, with two block assists and two service aces.
Briana Smith and
Kaydee Smith recorded 30 and 20 assists, respectively, while
Kelani Talakai registered 19 digs.
Florida A&M (3-12, 1-3) finished with 68 kills, 68 digs, 66 assists, 10.0 total team blocks and four service aces.
Farah Farooq led the Rattlers with 17 kills, five block assists and one dig, while Iyonnie Sanford chipped in 15 kills, 12 digs and three block assists. LaDonna Trantham posted a double-double of 14 kills and 14 digs. Bengisu Kazaziar and Makenzie Taylor added 32 and 24 assists, respectively. Victoria Santana led the defense with 18 digs, while Kazaziar tallied 15.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns to the road for its next four matches as the Bulldogs will visit Jackson State next Sunday (Oct. 12). First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. from the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.
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