NORFOLK, VA --- Howard Volleyball is hitting its stride at the perfect time.

The Bison defeated the Norfolk State University Spartans in three sets (25-20, 25-20, 25-19) for its eighth consecutive victory and ninth in ten games.

For the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division leaders, the victory also brought Howard's overall record to .500 for the first time all season. HU has literally done a complete 180 as the regular season winds down - going 11-2 in their last 13 games after injuries and early struggles gave them a 2-11 mark to begin the year.

THE RUNDOWN
-    Kills: Khaila Donaldson - 10 (team high); Janaya Hampton - 7; Dominique Cleggett - 6
-    Assists: Tamia Dockery - 17; Briana Jackson - 14
-    Digs: Morgan Marlbrough - 21; Dockery - 8
-    Total Blocks: Cleggett (5 A); Donaldson (2 S, 2 A)
-    Service Aces: Donaldson - 3; Jaleeza Stoudermire - 2
-    The Bison were able to fend off a scrappy Norfolk State team that forced 15 ties and nine lead changes by controlling the match more and more each set. The match opened with 10 ties and four lead changes and dwindled to three ties/three leads (Set 2) and two ties/two leads (Set 3). The final tie of each set before Howard took over came at 16-16 (first set), 12-12 (second set) and 4-4 (third set).

OTHER NOTES
-    Howard's eight-game win streak is one shy of the program's longest under fourth-year head Coach Shaun Kupferberg; The Bison rattled off nine straight wins last season.
-    The sweep of NSU gave the Bison its fourth series win in conference (Delaware State, Coppin State, Maryland Eastern Shore) and its sixth sweep victory - nearly half of its overall win total.
-    Victories in its final two games would secure a third straight winning season for the program.

NEXT UP
Howard will play its final road match of the season on Sunday, November 1 at 3 p.m. against rival Hampton University.