The USF volleyball team went up against Florida A&M Tuesday, looking for their second win of the season.

But the Rattlers (7-4) proved to be too much for the visiting Bulls as they defeated them in three games (30-20, 30-26, 30-18) to hand the Bulls their 14th loss of the season.

“We knew what we needed to do,” coach Claire Lessinger said. “We just never did it consistently enough. I felt like (FAMU) really had the tempo of the game in their hands, and we couldn’t alter that on a consistent basis.”

The Rattlers had 14 blocks as a team, but it was FAMU’s offense, with a team hitting percentage of .417, that really made the game tough for the Bulls.

“Florida A&M was a really balanced attack,” Lessinger said. “There wasn’t just one player to stop, and that made things difficult for us on the defensive end.”

Two players, Adriana Kostandinova and Maria Andonova, had double-digit kills for the Rattlers.

But the Bulls did do some things right against their in-state foes.

“We did some really good things tonight,” Lessinger said. “Kristina (Fabris) had a really good performance.”

Fabris led the way for the Bulls with 16 kills and 12 digs. Michelle Stalbaum also added 13 kills.

Lessinger said that despite the mounting losses, her team came out with some fire against Florida A&M.

“They were probably the most mentally ready I’ve seen them in a long time,” Lessinger said. “They were just real energetic, real fired up, and I think that shows a lot about their character.”

Lessinger keeps focusing on the positives in a season that has featured very few highlights.

“As long as they can keep staying positive,” Lessinger said, “because what we’re all trying to do is keep a positive attitude about it so that it can make us stronger in the long run.

“I think all this will just pay off. If it doesn’t end up this year, then it will sometime in the near future.”