Rattlers favored to repeat as volleyball champions
FAMU athletics photo by Kyrese Desseau
Special to the Outlook
With last Saturday’s exhibition match behind them the FAMU Rattlers volleyball team can now look to playing for keeps.
They will have plenty to defend. As the Rattlers enters the season with the pre-season player and libero of the year and four All-SWAC honors. They are also predicted to finish first in the conference.
The Rattlers begin their bid for a third straight SWAC Championship when they open the regular season in the UAB Tournament from Friday to Sunday in Birmingham, Ala. Also entered in the tournament are Austin Peay, Buffalo, and UAB, all teams that the Rattlers will face.
Meanwhile, outside hitter Brooke Lynn Watts was named preseason Player of the Year, Preseason All-SWAC First Team.
Watts, the SWAC’s 2022 Newcomer of the Year, finished last season with 321 kills, the second most on the team. She also finished second on the team with 369 points.
Brooke Hudson was another pre-season selection for the Rattlers, being names Libero of the Year, and to the All-SWAC First Team.
Hudson was one of the best defensive players in the nation and the top defensive player in the SWAC, finishing with 487 digs (44th in nation, first in SWAC). During SWAC play, Hudson led the league in total digs (267) and digs per set (4.68).
Outside hitter Emerald Jacobs was named to the All-SWAC Second Team. She proved to be a significant contributor for the champion Rattlers, finishing fourth in kills with 210 and points with 249.5. Jacobs looks to have her third straight season with 200-plus kills and points and the first of 300-
Middle hitter Isis Williams was named to the All-SWAC Second Team. She returns after finishing fifth on the team in points with 121.5 and kills with 91 in 72 sets. Williams finished third on the team with 48 blocks and had 3-plus blocks in eight matches. Williams had a season-high five blocks at Jackson State.
