FAMU (5-7, 1-0 in MEAC) won Tuesday's bout by scores of 25-19, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21.

Freshman Pamela Barrera led the way with 18 kills, followed by first-year performer Maria Ceccarelli with 15. Jovana Blazeksi added 14 kills and Maria Gomez had 11 kills on Tuesday.

Setter Jessica Bond dished out 55 assists, while Susan Egoavil led FAMU with 21 digs, followed by Blazeski (13) and Ceccarelli (11).

Monday night, the Lady Rattlers opened their MEAC title defense and quest for a ninth straight crown with a 3-1 (25-21,18-25, 25-20, 25-14) match win at South Carolina State in Dukes Gymnasium.

Florida A&M was led by Blazeski who recorded a double-double, 17 kills and 13 digs, followed by Gomez (14 kills) and Barrera (11 kills).

Setter Jessica Bond put up a game-high 40 assists while Susan Egoavil picked up a game-high 18 defensive digs in the victory.

WHAT'S NEXT: FAMU continues with the road theme this Sunday, October 11 with a Sunday afternoon conference match at Norfolk (Va.) State...The Lady Rattlers will open a four-match home stretch on Friday, October 16 against Winston-Salem State (7:00) in the University Multipurpose Center, followed by a Sunday bout (October 18) against North Carolina A&T at 3 p.m.