COLLEGE PARK, Md. (August 31, 2019) – Howard University women's volleyball team dropped a tough five set match to local foe Maryland (23-25, 26-24, 16-25, 25-21, 9-15) Monday night on Labor Day in front of nearly 1,000 spectators.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Kailyn Williams (Arlington, Texas) led the way with a team-leading 12 kills while third-year Bison Jurnee Tipton recorded nine kills and nine digs in a losing effort.
 
After Maryland took the first set by a narrow margin, 25-23, HU (1-1) found itself on the brink of a 2-0 match deficit with the Terps holding a 24-20 lead in set two. Trailing late, the Bison fought back and ended the set on a 6-0 spurt to tie the contest at one apiece.
 
Despite scoring the first point in set three, Maryland controlled the set and regained the upper hand in the match after a 25-16 win.
 
In set four, the Terps had a 19-16 advantage, but the Bison refused to go away, scoring the final nine out of 11 points while forcing a deciding fifth set.
 
Both squads went back-and-forth in the fifth set, but the Terps would take the set and match after scoring the final four points of the contests.
 
Freshmen setters Semira Blair (Fort Worth, Texas) and Kayla Diaz (Nanuet, N.Y.) combined for 39 assists while, defensively, junior libero Fola Wilson (Minneapolis, Minn.) produced a match-high 24 digs in the loss.
 
For Maryland (3-0), they remain unblemished on the young season. Erika Pritchard, 2019 Preseason All-Big Ten selection, guided the Terps with a double-double, 17 kills (match-best) and 11 digs (team-high) in the victory.
 
On Sept. 6-7, HU heads north to Queens, N.Y. for the Jack Kaiser Volleyball Classic, hosted by St. John's.
 
Friday (Sept. 6), the Bison meet Columbia and Canisius before wrapping up the weekend against the Red Storm Saturday (Sept. 7).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.