The FAMU Volleyball team is back in the capital city and looking forward to playing Mercer in their first home match since the FSU Invitational in August.

The Lady Rattlers started their season with a strong and competitive non conference schedule- and even though it hasn't been all glory for the defending MEAC champions...it's helping them get stronger.

"With a young team, that's what we are looking for, we want to make sure these kids are aware of what the expectations are and what the level of a top division one program is, and then go from there." says Coach Tony Trifonov.

Coach Trifonov is hoping playing teams like Clemson, Georgia Tech and Texas will help his team in two ways.

"It accomplishes town things, it raises our RIP tremendously, because of the strength of schedule, and then prepares us for conference schedule and we feel like playing those types of teams early in the season, it will prepare us to achieve our goal and win another conference title."

So he hopes that the talented group of girls he coaches everyday will be able to grow and show off what Rattler volleyball is all about.

"Our goal is to improve every practice, and every time we touch the ball, and that's the best part of having a young team, there is always room for improvement."