With just one fall on the way, the Nebraska Huskers comfortably won their fifth Big Ten title last weekend. And while it may have seemed like the battle’s over, the main showdown’s actually just about starting. They have now stepped into their 43rd straight NCAA tournament and are set to flag the competition open this Friday against Florida A&M. And oh boy, the statistics suggest that it’s about to be a tussle for the ages.

Taking on the 2024 SWAC champions will hardly be a piece of cake for the Huskers, even though it’s after a 20-year gap that the two teams will be facing each other. They’ve played just once before, in 2004, when the Rattlers trashed the Big Reds to a 3-1 that season. Well, this time, since both teams are coming off of dominating title wins, we have reason to believe that none will go down without a fight. Especially Florida A&M, for the reasons discussed below.

Know the SWAC’s 3x and defending champions: Florida A&M Volleyball team

The Rattlers are riding on an all-time high, having won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) on November 24, which automatically qualified them for the NCAA Tournament. Beating Jackson State 3-1 added to their picture-perfect 19-0 streak in the SWAC this season and led FAMU to their third title in 4 years, which is incredible.

What’s also great is that 4 of Florida A&M’s players were chosen in the All-SWAC selections, with Brooke Lynn Watts and Alexandria Koleva leading it from the front. Whereas, Iyonnie Sanford and Tinos Galmes also won All-SWAC second-team honors. But do the FAMU Rattlers have it in them to survive in this single-elimination tournament? Well, let’s have a look at how strong the side is.

Everything to know about the Rattlers’ home venue, records, and achievements

The Florida A&M girls play all their home matches at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center, which is a massive 135,000-square-foot facility. Completed in 2009, it is currently the home for both the FAMU men’s and women’s basketball teams and volleyball home events, thanks to the four basketball/volleyball courts on the arena floor. In addition, it features a 9,639 seating capacity, wireless internet, and a video scoreboard, which makes it the perfect venue for matches.

However, for their opening match against Nebraska, they’ll be heading to Lincoln, Nebraska. There, they bid to win their second NCAA tournament match in program history. Well, yes, in 2003, Florida A&M thwarted Winthrop 3-0, and that was their lone national tournament win. Till date, they have a very feeble record of 1-11 all-time when it comes to the NCAA tournament.

But this season has been no less than an achievement for them. They are stepping into the all-important NCAA matches with a 27-6 record this season. Also, with a visionary coach, Gokhan Yilmaz, who has been the mastermind behind their SWAC success. But does he have the vision needed to translate that at the NCAA Championships 2024? Well, let’s look.

Who is FAMU’s head coach, Gokhan Yilmaz, of the volleyball team and team roster?

Well, looking at the statistics, there’s hardly any doubt that Florida A&M’s head coach, Gokhan Yilmaz, is an exceptional mentor. He has over 100 wins with the Rattlers and was named the 2024 SWAC Coach of the Year. In fact, with a record of 27 victories, this team, FAMU volleyball, has touched the most in a single season during Yilmaz’s tenure, surpassing the team’s 25-7 record in 2021 as well as 21-13 from 2022.

However, hereon, Yilmaz says the team will be switching gears as they have finally closed in on their goal. “Our entire season is focused on making the NCAA Tournament. We’re happy to play,” he said. But can the team live up to his expectations? Well, looking at the team roster, one can say they seem to be a well-balanced side.