News Summary
The Florida A&M volleyball team lost 3-1 to Jackson State Lady Tigers at home, marking a tough matchup that brings their record to 2-10 and 0-1 in SWAC play. Despite a strong start with a first-set win, the Rattlers struggled in subsequent sets. Top performers included Ladonna Trantham with 15 kills and Ruxandra Flueras with 16 digs. The team will look to regroup and aim for their first conference win against Mississippi Valley State on September 28.
TALLAHASSEE, FL — The Florida A&M volleyball team faced a challenging match on September 26, 2025, falling 3-1 to the Jackson State Lady Tigers at home in the Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. The loss marks a setback for the Rattlers, bringing their overall record to 2-10 and their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) record to 0-1.
While the team initially showed promise by winning the first set convincingly at 25-17, they struggled to maintain momentum as the match progressed. The subsequent sets ended in favor of Jackson State, with scores of 18-25, 18-25, and 20-25, culminating in the Rattlers’ defeat.
Leading the effort for Florida A&M, Ladonna Trantham emerged as the top performer with a team-high of 15 kills. She was supported by Ruxandra Flueras, who recorded a match-high 16 digs, and Iyonnie Sanford, who contributed an additional 12 digs. Tamia Coleman and Farah Farooq provided a strong defensive presence at the net with a combined total of 11 blocks, with Coleman tallying six and Farooq adding five. Bengisu Kazazlar made her mark as well, leading the Rattlers in service aces with two and facilitating the offense with 18 assists.
In the opening set, Florida A&M built a significant lead, reaching as much as 10 points ahead at 24-14 before clinching the set. However, the momentum shifted sharply in set two as the Rattlers fell behind early and were unable to recover, leading to a 18-25 loss. The third set mirrored this trend, with Florida A&M struggling to regroup after trailing by seven points, resulting in another 18-25 defeat.
The fourth set presented another hard-fought battle, but Florida A&M could not regain control after Jackson State took a lead at 14-13. Ultimately, the set concluded 25-20 in favor of the Lady Tigers, sealing Florida A&M’s fate in the match.
Looking ahead, Florida A&M will have the opportunity to recover as they prepare to face Mississippi Valley State on September 28, 2025, at 1 PM. The team will be eager to secure their first conference win of the season following the challenging matchup against Jackson State.
This match stands as a critical point in the Rattlers’ season, as they continue to face tough competition in the SWAC. The coaching staff and players are likely to regroup and refine their approach to improve their performance in upcoming games.
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Additional Resources
- FAMU Athletics: Rattlerettes Fall 3-1 to Jackson State
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- Tallahassee Reports: Chiles Volleyball Beats Gulf Breeze
- Google Search: Volleyball News
- Seminoles.com: Seminoles Take Down Auburn
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- FAMU Athletics: Trantham Named Co-SWAC Newcomer
- Google News: SWAC Volleyball
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
