Texas Southern dropped a 3-0 decision to Florida A&M on Friday evening inside the H&PE Arena as the Rattlers claimed a 25-18, 25-17, 25-20 victory.

Florida A&M opened the first set with a 6-2 advantage before Texas Southern responded with a 5-1 run to tie the contest at 7-7. Ava Houston contributed a kill during the rally as the Tigers worked their way back into the set. The Rattlers regained control with a 7-1 surge to build a 14-8 lead. Texas Southern continued to battle behind kills from Battle, Lee and Houston, but Florida A&M maintained its advantage and captured the opening set, 25-18. Both teams recorded 14 kills in the frame, but Florida A&M's .316 hitting percentage proved decisive as Texas Southern committed 11 attack errors.

Florida A&M took an early 4-0 lead but TSU battled to cut the deficit to 6-3 after a Kennedi Walker kill. However, the Rattlers would go on a 9-1 run to claim a 15-4 lead as they used their advantage at the net to maintain control and secure a 25-17 victory, taking a 2-0 lead into the intermission.

Texas Southern continued competing in the final set, looking to extend the match. Both teams went back-and-forth as the set as tied at 13-all following a Lauren Battle kill. FAMU would take a 16-13 lead until a service error end the run but they managed to regroup quickly due to three attack errors from TSU as they led 21-14. TSU finally settled down and had some offensive success as they trailed 23-18 and eventually 24-20 but the early damage was too much to overcome as FAMU closed the match with a 25-20 win.

The loss dropped Texas Southern to 8-17 overall and 7-6 in SWAC play, while Florida A&M improved to 17-9 and 12-1 in conference action.

Gracie Lee led Texas Southern offensively with seven kills and two block assists, while Lauren Battle and Ava Houston added five kills each. Battle also recorded a team-high 13 digs and the Tigers' lone service ace. Kadence Davison paced the offense with 14 assists and nine digs, while Kennedi Walker contributed 11 assists and seven digs. Keagan St. Junious finished with 11 digs, and Morgynne McQueen added four kills and three block assists.

Texas Southern returns to action Sunday, Nov. 8, hosting Bethune-Cookman at noon inside the H&PE Arena.