UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (November 30, 2018) - Howard University volleyball was defeated in the NCAA First Round match versus the Penn State Nittany Lions. The three set game, played in Rec Hall, ended with box scores of 9-25, 9-25, 8-25. Penn State is the No. 8 seed in the tournament.

Howard was unable to get any momentum going offensively or defensively in the match against Penn State. This is the first and only game all year in which the Bison were held to less than ten points in each set. "It was a really frustrating night," expressed head coach Shaun Kupferberg. "Penn State had a lot to do with that and we had a lot to do with that. But it's OK. We have ups and downs as we go through some growing pains here."

The Bison had 19 kills and 19 errors compared to the Nittany Lions with 41 kills but only four errors. Penn State held Howard to their lowest hitting percentage all year, averaging .000%. In sets two and three, Howard had more errors than kills.

"Tonight we just couldn't get in a rhythm hitting or serving and I don't know why," said Kupferberg. "I don't think we got in one point the entire night serving. It was just one of those nights and you can't have one of those nights against a team like Penn State. This wasn't a matter of being home or away. This is the toughest result we've had playing one of these elite teams. We just couldn't get anything going no matter what we tried." Penn State's win brings their record to 24-7.

The seniors on the team, Courtney Dalton and Tamia Dockery, led in kills, assists and digs. Dalton had five kills. Dockery had 15 assists and 11 digs.  "I'm proud of the ladies sitting next to me [Courtney Dalton and Tamia Dockery], they put in a good four years, leaving here with four championships and a good base for us to build upon." The Bison end the season with a 20-11 record.

Although the match did not end in the Bison's favor, the team has had a season filled with accolades. Junior Kira Porter won the MEAC Tournament's Outstanding Performer Award. Howard boasts the MEAC Coach of the Year in Shuan Kupferberg and also Player of the Year, Tamia Dockery. Dockery, a standout setter has achieved record-setting success. The Bison conclude their season atop the MEAC with Coach Kupferberg sending a team to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive time.

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.