The FAMU volleyball team rebounded emphatically from an opening loss at the Hampton Invitational, sweeping host Hampton University in straight sets (25-20, 25-18, 25-13) on Friday night. The Rattlers (1-1) showcased a balanced attack and stifling defense to secure their first win of the season after falling earlier to East Carolina.
Match highlights
The Rattlers dominated Hampton with a .314 team hitting percentage, racking up 13 total blocks while holding the Pirates to a dismal -.134 attack efficiency. Senior middle blocker Iyonnie Sanford anchored the effort, delivering eight kills and five blocks. Freshman setter Bengisu Kazazlar orchestrated the offense with 46 assists, spreading opportunities across the roster.
Set-by-set breakdown
Set 1 (25-20): FAMU established control early, hitting .308 as multiple hitters contributed to a steady offensive rhythm.
Set 2 (25-18): The Rattlers surged to a .429 hitting clip, fueled by Sanford and Tamia Coleman, who combined for six kills in the frame.
Set 3 (25-13): FAMU’s defense shined, tallying six team blocks to seal the sweep. Libero Dylan Hoskins anchored the back row with 16 digs, while Sydney Whitfield (9 kills) and Farah Farooq (7 kills) provided consistent firepower.
Key takeaways
Head coach Gokhan Yilmaz praised his team’s resilience after the morning loss to East Carolina. “We cleaned up our errors and executed our game plan with discipline,” he said. “Our blockers set the tone, and our freshmen stepped up when it mattered.”
The Rattlers will look to build momentum today as the Hampton Invitational continues with FAMU playing the University of Maryland Eastern Shores. With Kazazlar’s playmaking and a deep roster of attackers, FAMU aims to carry its defensive intensity into upcoming matches.