Orangeburg, S.C.--For the second time in two years, SC State has snapped a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win streak by nine-time defending champion Florida A&M. The Lady Bulldogs today defeated the Lady Rattlers, 3-2, (25-20, 22-25, 25-13, 13-25, 15-11) in front of 338 fans at Dukes Gymnasium on the campus of SC State. On October 17, 2008, the Lady Bulldogs snapped what was then a 98 regular season conference match streak for the Lady Rattlers. Tonight the victory ended a 16 game regular season conference match win streak. With win SC State improves to 9-20 overall and 2-2 in the conference while FAMU drops to 6-12 overall and 4-1 in the MEAC.

SC State entered the match with a lot of poise and confidence which was evident from the first serve. After exchanging the first 10 points in the set with FAMU, the Lady Bulldogs put together an 8-2 run to go up on the Lady Rattlers, 18-12 and never looked back taking the first set 25-20.

After dropping the second set 22-25, the Lady Bulldogs came back with tenacity, hitting an impressive .565 en route to a 25-13 set three victory. Florida A&M would not be outdone as they came back with the heart of a champion to take set four 13-25 and force a fifth and deciding set.

The Lady Bulldogs appeared to be in complete control as they began the fifth set on a 5-1 run. FAMU continued to fight putting together a 6-0 run to take a 7-5 lead in the set. SC State did not lose its poise as they went on a mini run of their own to take an 8-7 lead heading into the changeover. The Lady Bulldogs would maintain at least a two point lead the rest of the way en route to its 15-11 set five victory and ultimately a 3-2 match win.

“This team has been working hard to improve on our weaknesses,” said fourth year head coach Millicent Sylvan. “It all came together for us tonight, and I'm very proud of this team.”

It was clearly a team effort led by the lone senior Jarne Gleaton (West Columbia, Airport HS) who put down a game-high 21 kills. The Lady Bulldogs had three players to record double-digit kills as Shabree Roberson (Pflugerville, TX, Connally HS) recorded 16; E. Paige Webb (Plano, TX, Plano Senior HS)recorded 10 and Gleaton. SC State was led defensively by Webb and Melissa Robinson (Tallahassee, FL, Florida High) who picked up 15 and 10 digs respectively. Junior setter Bria Brimmer (Austin, TX, Connally HS) had a game high 47 set assists.

Katherine Huanec and Maria Ceccarelli led the Lady Rattlers offensively with 18 and 10 kills respectively. Susan Egoavil had 16 digs for the Lady Rattlers in the loss.

SC State will return to action, this Sunday, Oct. 24 at 12 noon when they host the Lady Aggies of North Carolina A&T in a MEAC conference contest. The match will be played in Dukes Gym on the campus of South Carolina State University.