Nov. 6, 2006

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Florida A&M University limited Bethune-Cookman College to just 16 kills for the match while earning the Rattlers their 16th consecutive victory with the aid of Maria Andonova and Iva Lakic on Monday night courtesy a 3-0 win inside Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Rattlers used scores of 30-8, 30-8 and 30-20 to extend their conference record regular season winning streak to an unprecedented 91 matches.

FAMU (17-6, 10-0 MEAC) had just too much power tonight as MEAC Player of the Week Maria Andonova set the tone right from the start with five of the team's first eight kills in the first game of the evening. Meanwhile, teammate Iva Lakic was not to be outdone as she collected three kills in the first game herself. The combination of the two would be a repetitive sight as it certainly became the Andonova/Lakic Variety Hour ... with the match taking just over an hour to complete.

B-CC (7-11, 4-5 MEAC) was unable to bounce back from numerous unforced errors and miscommunication on the court to try and pull the upset on this night. The `Cats collected a season-low 16 kills and committed a season third-highest mark of 22 errors in a three-game match. The `Cats also were charged with seven reception errors as the serve of FAMU's Zaira Manzo punched in three aces, as well as Andonova collecting two service aces herself.

Bethune-Cookman also tied a season-low mark of just 91 total attacks and hit a season-low hitting percentage (-.066). As for the visitors from the capital city of Tallahassee, the Rattlers of FAMU collected an opponent-high hitting mark of 47 percent (.467) on a season-low 92 total attacks against the `Cats with 47 of those being kills. The Rattlers also managed to commit a season-low four (4) errors as well.

The most exciting game of the match came in the third frame as Bethune-Cookman fought hard behind the services of Vonetta Simpson and Dani Goodrum. The `Cats collected a team-high 10 kills in the third game, and managed to keep the game close at 18-14 midway through. But, following a timeout by FAMU, the Rattlers pushed the lead back out by five en route to the 30-20 win.

The Rattlers were led on the night by MEAC Player of the Week Maria Andonova with a match-high 19 kills, eight digs and two blocks. Behind her was Lakic with 10 kills and five digs. The offense was set up by setter Manzo with 39 assists, three service aces and five digs. Coincidentally, the Rattlers never used a single substitution the entire match.

As for the Fighting Wildcats, they were helped out by Tabatha Williams and Goodrum who each registered four kills in the match. Terra Wagner helped out on defense with a team-high 10 digs and one block assist.

Bethune-Cookman will look to rebound on Friday night as they host Savannah State to Moore Gymnasium in a contest set for a 7 p.m. start.