WASHINGTON (November 20, 2021) – Top seeded Howard University women's volleyball team advanced to its seventh Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Title match in eight seasons after taking down No. 4 North Carolina Central (NCCU) in the semifinal round (25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 25-14) at Burr Gymnasium.
 
The Bison were led by freshman Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) with 14 kills and two digs. MEAC Rookie of the Year Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) produced a double-double (12 kills and 10 digs) in the victory.
 
Freshman Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) started off the match with a kill, which immediately energized the Bison as they got off to a strong 9-7 start. With a couple of shifty plays from senior leader Milexa Cardona (Kissimmee, Fla.), the Bison held a slim lead, 10-9, in the set. Cardona finished with 47 assists, seven digs and three assists. 
 
The Eagles, led by All-MEAC First Team honoree Ammaarah Williams, forced several momentum shifts as HU trailed, 16-14. However, a kill from Awojobi thrusted Howard to a 18-14 lead midway through the set.
 
The Bison immediately took over the reins with help from several attack errors by the Eagles and a kill from B. Woodard. After five set points, the Bison claimed set one, 25-19.
 
Going into set two, the Bison took full control of the momentum and started off the set with back-to-back aces from senior Busisiwe Banda (Cedar Park, Texas). Three service aces in a row also pushed Howard to a 6-5 lead early in the set. HU finished with 17 total service aces in the matchup. The Bison claimed set two, 25-17, as the Eagles struggled to stop the Bison madness.
 
In set three, Burr Gymnasium experienced a complete momentum shift, as the Eagles were down, 11-8, after a kill from Awojobi, but came back after a couple of miscues from the Bison to claim set three, 25-23.
 
A kill from Kailyn Williams (Arlington, Texas) gave the Bison the much-needed energy going into game four. Howard quickly got out to a 11-6 lead and a kill from C. Woodard extended the Bison lead, 17-10, midway in the set. An attack error from the Eagles Celene Morris pushed Howard ahead to an eight-point lead (19-11). HU then went on cruise control and closed out the match point with a kill from C. Woodard, defeating the North Carolina Central Eagles in the set, 25-14, and match, 3-1.
 
Williams led the Eagles with 13 kills and eight digs.
 
Sunday (Nov. 21), the Bison face No. 2 Delaware State in search for another MEAC Title. First serve is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium. The match will be shown on ESPNU.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.