PRINCESS ANNE, MD --- Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play began on a positive note for the Howard women's volleyball team as the Bison defeated the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks 3-0 (32-30,34-32,25-18) on Friday evening at the W.P. Hytche Center.

The victory was Howard's fifth straight against UMES over the past three seasons and fourth consecutive in straight sets. The most impressive part of HU's first MEAC triumph in 2015 was it coming against a Maryland Eastern Shore team whose overall mark (11-2) currently stands as the only winning record in the conference.

Junior Katherine Broussard and sophomore Khaila Donaldson teamed up to lead the Bison by posting double-doubles in the same game for the second time this season. Broussard had a game-high and season best 20 kills to go along with 11 digs while Donaldson led all players with 22 digs and added 12 kills. Freshman Courtney Dalton also reached double figures in kills with 10.

THE RUNDOWN
-    Sets 1 and 2 were the highest scoring sets of the season for Howard, with both going above the 30+ point threshold. Despite the combined 24 ties and 11 lead changes in the two sets, HU prevailed thanks to a .226 hitting percentage (42 kills/18 errors/105 attacks) and 65 percent (41-63) sideout rate (compared to .178 (32-14-101) and 62.5 percent (40-65) for UMES).
-    Howard's 59 total kills and 56 total assists were both the second-most the team has compiled this season.
-    Broussard's .425 hitting percentage (20-3-40) set the new season team standard for the Bison (min. 12 kills)
-    Other Leaders: Junior Briana Jackson (26 assists); Donaldson (3 service aces); freshman Olubunmi Okunade (3 total blocks - all assists)

NEXT UP
Howard will host its first MEAC contest of the season on Sunday, September 27 at 3 p.m. against Delaware State in Burr Gymnasium.