WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the fifth straight year, the Howard University volleyball team will start the season at the D.C. Challenge. The Bison will open tournament play on Friday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. against Georgetown at Bender Arena on the campus of American University.

Howard will pick up hosting duties for the remainder of the tournament on Saturday, Aug. 26 in Burr Gymnasium. The Bison begin the morning session at 10 a.m. against American, followed by Georgetown versus Santa Clara at noon. The evening session starts at 5 p.m. with Georgetown and American before Howard closes the day against Santa Clara at 7 p.m.

In conjunction with the volleyball team, the athletics department will be having a Food Truck Rodeo outside The Burr with vendors available for both of Saturday's sessions. The trucks will be open to fans from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The two-time defending MEAC tournament champion is looking to build on its success from a season ago. Earlier this month, Howard was picked to claim the MEAC Northern Division title in a vote of the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.

Senior outside hitter Khaila Donaldson was chosen as the Preseason Player of the Year for the second time. Donaldson and junior setter Tamia Dockery both made the preseason team.

The Bison swept last year's tournament with wins over Georgetown, George Mason and American. Donaldson was named Most Valuable Player and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Dockery and Olubunmi Okunade.