The Howard University women's volleyball team is appearing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship Game tonight against North Carolina A&T. For seniors
Courtney Dalton, setter
Tamia Dockery and middle blocker
Olubunmi Okunade this is their last game in Burr Gym.
These three players are the only seniors on the volleyball team, each having competed on the squad since their freshman year. Their contributions have been mighty to the success of the team, leading the Bison to a 19-10 overall record, including a 9-1 record within the conference this season.
As co-captains, Dalton, Dockery and Okunade have carried this mantle of success at Howard since their arrival. Prior to the 2015 season, the Bison had appeared in just one National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament. The year was 1994.
Heading towards the finish line of the 2018 season, the Howard women's volleyball team has a chance to appear in its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament. Each of the current seniors found the floor in the previous three tournament games, earning valuable minutes in the highest stage of college volleyball. Speaking on her experience, Dockery said, "My best memory, no doubt, was taking a set off of Penn State last year. I can't really explain the feeling I had at the moment but it was something I had never experienced before."
Dockery, a standout setter, holds Howard's record for assists and in the semifinals reached 1,000 career digs. She is in the top 10 in the school's history for career digs. Dockery was on the court during the 2017 NCAA Tournament when Howard faced off against Penn State, the number one seed. Despite losing the match, Howard upset their opponent by winning a set. The Bison are still in search of their first victory in an NCAA Tournament game.
Before they can think about another NCAA Tournament appearance, the Bison will focus their attention on the MEAC game versus the Aggies.
With Howard hosting this year Dalton stated, "I'm looking forward to our Howard family being a part of the process and celebration. They always hear that we did well in the tournament but they never get to see what it takes to get through the tournament, first hand." The Bison have won each of the last three MEAC Championships.
"It hasn't truly hit me that this is my last game yet. I knew this day would come but I wasn't sure how I would feel. I just want to end on good strong note." Where Dalton had uncertainty, Okunade had no doubts about how she would feel. "Honestly I am sad to leave my team but I am excited for the possibilities of using what I learned from volleyball in the real world," she expressed.
In relaying a message to her younger teammates who will take over the throne for the next few seasons, Dalton added, "It's important to leave the program better than you entered it...That's something I try to remember daily."
From freshman to senior year, winning three, possibly four, consecutive championships is certainly a prime example of leaving the program in a better state than when you started.
About Howard University Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.
