The path to defending a championship is rarely a straight line. For the FAMU Rattlers volleyball team, the reigning SWAC titleholders, this season has been a story of flashes—glimpses of the dominant, net-controlling force that swept the conference a year ago, mixed with stretches of inconsistency that have them sitting in eighth place as the postseason looms.
Now, heading into a pivotal weekend road trip against Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State, the Rattlers aren’t just playing for standings; they’re playing for identity.
At the heart of that identity is graduate middle blocker Farah Farooq, a two-way force who has been nothing short of spectacular. Farooq leads the SWAC and ranks 31st nationally with a scorching .394 hitting percentage—a model of offensive efficiency. But she’s equally imposing on defense, ranking second in the conference with 1.02 blocks per set.
“When Farah is active and we’re in system, we can play with anyone in this league,” said head coach Gokhan Yilmaz. “Our identity is and has always been built at the net. That’s our DNA.”
The numbers back that up. FAMU ranks second in the SWAC in total blocks (216) and opponent hitting percentage (.174), hallmark stats of a team that can suffocate opponents in long rallies. But their offensive execution—a .183 team hitting percentage that places them in the middle of the pack—has sometimes held them back from closing out tight matches.
This weekend offers a tale of two very different tests, both critical to FAMU’s late-season aspirations.
First up is Jackson State—a defensive juggernaut that leads the SWAC in opponent hitting percentage (.171) and boasts the conference’s most explosive offensive weapon in outside hitter Jayden James. James leads the league in both kills (3.99 per set) and points (4.58 per set), a volume scorer capable of taking over a match.
“She’s a special talent,” Yilmaz acknowledged. “You can’t stop her completely, but you can try to contain her. Our blockers have to be disciplined, our floor defense has to be ready. It’s going to be a battle at the net—exactly the kind of match we’re built for.”
The matchup pits FAMU’s stout blocking against JSU’s high-powered attack. If setter Brooke Lynn Watts can feed Farooq early and often, the Rattlers can pressure the Tigers’ defense and control the tempo.
Then comes Mississippi Valley State, a program in rebuilding mode. The Devilettes rank last in the SWAC in nearly every major statistical category, including hitting percentage (.094) and kills per set (9.01). For FAMU, this is an opportunity to fine-tune its offensive rhythm, work on service pressure, and build confidence heading into the final stretch.
“Every match matters right now,” said Farooq. “We have to play with urgency, with fire. We know what we’re capable of. It’s time to show it.”
The keys for the Rattlers are clear: establish Farooq in the middle, maintain serve-receive composure against Jackson State’s aggressive serving, and use their net presence to dictate points against both opponents.
This weekend is more than just two matches—it’s a chance for FAMU to remind the SWAC of its championship pedigree. With a star in the middle, a steadily improving offense, and one of the conference’s most formidable defenses, the Rattlers have all the pieces to make a late-season surge.
The question now is whether they can put them all together—and turn potential back into power.