FAMU volleyball team wins 2017 home opener

Maria Garcia led FAMU in kills

The FAMU volleyball team opened its 2017 home schedule Tuesday evening at the Al Lawson Center with a hard-fought 3-2 win over the University of North Florida.

FAMU (3-8), rallied from 24-22 down to win each of the first two sets, 26-24, before the visiting Ospreys (6-8), bounced back to win the third set, 25-20, and the fourth set, 26-24, setting the stage for the dramatic fifth set.

The Lady Rattlers got ahead early in that final frame, 5-1, but a pair of service errors, let UNF remain in contention, as the score remained close until FAMU was able to nudge ahead, 14-12 on an Osprey service error.

Freshman Candelaria Herrera, who had two service errors in the match, along with three aces, dealt her third ace at the most critical time, lofting a serve which tailed away from a UNF receiver for a reception error and the clinching point.

FAMU had four players record double digit kills, led by Maria Yvette Garcia’s 15, followed by Herrera with 13, Aybuke Kocabiyik with 11 and Nicole Abreu with 10.

Elena Dimitrova dished out 42 assists for FAMU, while Valentina Carrasco led the Rattler Women with 15 digs.