Box Score Fairfax, VA—The Howard University women's volleyball team dropped its season opener to American University, 3-0 in the first round of the Seventh Annual Bender Blue Out at the George Mason athletic.

The Bison (0-1) dropped their matches, 25-9, 25-15 and 25-20 to the Eagles. The young Howard squad were led by junior setter Stephanie Shults who had 18 assists, freshman outside hitter Katherine Broussard with 9 digs and 8 kills and junior Allyson Lods with 10 digs in a losing cause.

American (1-0) was paced by Monika Smidovc, who had 22 assists and Kristyna Lindovski, who had 15 kills and 7 digs.

The Bison return to action on Saturday with a 1 pm game at Bender Arena against George Mason and later at 5 pm versus Georgetown.