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FAMU volleyball team urging Rattler fans to support home winning streak: 'It helps a lot.'
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- FAMU volleyball team urging Rattler fans to support home winning streak: 'It helps a lot.'
Florida A&M volleyball is off to a hot start this season.
The Rattlers are 12-5 overall and 4-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, leading the league's standing s.
Dating back to last season, the Rattlers have won seven consecutive matches at the Al Lawson Center on FAMU's campus.
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Despite the success, FAMU volleyball's six regular season home matches average 169 fans at Lawson's 9,639-seat arena. FAMU's highest-attended volleyball match was its 3-1 victory over Jacksonville on Sept. 7 before 305 fans.
Florida A&M volleyball head coach Gokhan Yilmaz keeps a sharp eye on the action during a match versus Mercer at the Al Lawson Center Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019.
The Rattlers will be in action versus rivals Bethune-Cookman (6-10, 3-1 in SWAC) for a SWAC match on Wednesday at 6 p.m. FAMU's volleyball match is free of charge.
"We're one of the teams representing FAMU with the most integrity. These kids are great in the classroom, win many games, are fun to watch, and are very athletic," said FAMU head coach Gokhan Yilmaz .
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"And it's free to attend the games here. So, we'll love to see more people in the stands, for sure."
FAMU volleyball is making a concerted effort to entice more fans to show up on match days.
Last week, FAMU volleyball's social media accounts posted a video of players passing out flyers across campus. Yilmaz said he also plans to send invitations to local schools in Tallahassee.
"It feels like we're important to the school. We're doing it for them," said Tinons Galmes , a freshman from Spain on FAMU's volleyball team.
"We feel like we're family when they're supporting us."
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FAMU volleyball looking for increased fanfare in quest to reclaim SWAC championship
Audiences matter.
For example, FAMU's Marching 100 performed at a Rattlers' volleyball match earlier.
FAMU sophomore outside hitter Iyonnie Sanford says a roused Lawson Center environment creates advantages for her and her teammates.
"Last year, we didn't have as many people in the stands. But this year, we did have the band come at some point," Sanford said. "Having people here gets us hyped and can mess up the other team, too.
"It just helps a lot."
Iyonnie Sanford plays outside hitter for the Florida A&M Rattlers volleyball team. She's from Fort Walton Beach.
FAMU volleyball's resume speaks for itself.
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The Rattlers have been in the championship mix for the last three seasons by winning SWAC titles in 2021 and 2022 and finishing as the runner-up in 2023.
"Some people do not realize what a great volleyball team we have here," Yilmaz said.
Florida A&M Volleyball's Upcoming Home Matches
Brooke Lynn Watts is a two-time First-Team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection for her 2022 and 2023 seasons. The outside hitter is back with the Rattlers for her senior year in 2024.
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Wednesday, Oct. 9 vs Bethune-Cookman at 6 p.m.
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Sunday, Oct. 13 vs Southern at 1 p.m.
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Monday, Oct. 14 vs Alcorn State at 6 p.m.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU volleyball wants to fill more seats amidst home winning streak
