WASHINGTON, DC --- Freshman outside hitter Courtney Dalton recorded a match-high 13 kills to lead the Howard women's volleyball team to its fifth consecutive victory, a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-17) sweep of Coppin State University on Sunday afternoon in Burr Gymnasium. The victory keeps Howard in first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division.

Dalton's tally matched her season high mark, which she has now reached in three matches (9/5 vs Western Carolina, 9/18 vs Duquesne). Not surprisingly, the Bison (10-13, 6-1 MEAC) are 3-0 in those matches. Dalton's highlight day was part of a standout performance for the team - the Bison set new season highs for hitting percentage (.314) and fewest attack errors (9).

Sophomore outside hitter Khaila Donaldson nearly missed her third double-double in four matches, going for nine kills and 12 digs in the match. Junior outside hitter Katherine Broussard (eight kills, six digs), freshman outside hitter Joi Walls (four kills), junior middle blocker Janaya Hampton (four kills) and junior outside hitter Dominique Cleggett (three kills, .600 hitting pct.) all had solid outings as well.

On the assist front, freshman setter Tamia Dockery led Howard with 24 while junior setter Briana Jackson added 13. Junior Morgan Marlbrough's 16 digs extended her current streak of double-digit dig matches to 12 straight.

In defeating Coppin State (7-11, 4-3 MEAC), the Bison earned their first season series win over a conference opponent (both wins coming via 3-0 sweeps) and claimed their fifth sweep of the year.

Howard battled Coppin in the first set, forcing seven ties before closing the set by scoring the final six points. Howard easily won the final two sets with wire-to-wire, eight-point victories.

NEXT UP
Howard finishes its five-game home stand with Friday evening contest against Maryland Eastern Shore on October 23. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the match is the Bison's "Dig Pink" Game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.