NORFOLK, Va. (November 14, 2021) – Howard University women's volleyball team secured the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament with a three-set victory (25-18, 25-12, 25-16) at Norfolk State (NSU).
 
With the win, HU finished the regular season with a 15-12 overall record (12-2 MEAC) and a share of the MEAC Crown. Additionally, the Bison extended its conference winning streak to nine, dating back to Oct. 14, 2021.
 
Collectively, Howard eclipsed a .327 hitting percentage, led by senior Kailyn Williams (Arlington, Texas). The Texas native had a match-leading 10 kills while producing a scorching .769 hitting percentage.
 
Early in set one, NSU scored consecutive points on Bison hitting errors and cut the margin to two, 12-10, until HU tallied five unanswered points to create separation and win game one, 25-18.
 
In game two, Norfolk State grabbed the upper hand early, 5-3, but the Bison responded again with eight unanswered points to win set two, 25-12, and take a commanding 2-0 match lead.
 
Freshman Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) took control early in set three, registering back-to-back service aces and giving the Bison a 7-4 advantage. NSU fought back and pulled within one, 10-9, but Howard kept the pressure on and locked up the top spot in next weekend's conference tourney.
 
HU continues to rank among the nation's leaders in service aces, posting 11 overall against the Spartans. Woodard and senior Busisiwe Banda (Cedar Park, Texas) each recorded three service aces apiece in the win.
 
Senior setter Milexa Cardona (Kissimmee, Fla.) had 20 assists, five digs and a pair of service aces while junior libero Essence Bell (Ocala, Fla.) returned to the lineup after missing the previous three contests due to injury. The Florida product finished with 11 digs in the victory.
 
For NSU (8-17, 4-10 MEAC), Rachel Williams, Paola Matos and Taylor Eichelberger each produced seven kills in a losing effort.
 
On Nov. 19-21, Howard returns to action for the MEAC Tournament. The three-day event takes places inside Burr Gymnasium, starting 11 a.m. Friday (Nov. 19).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.