BALTIMORE (September 10, 2021) – Howard University women's volleyball team dropped a pair at the Charm City Challenge, presented by Sir Speedy.

In the morning, HU fell to Big Ten foe Maryland in straight sets (16-25, 17-25, 17-25), followed by a three-set loss against UMBC in the nightcap (18-25, 24-26, 19-25).
 
GAME 1
 
Junior Alex Smith (New Orleans) led the way, tying a team-best seven kills while producing a .353 hitting percentage. Newcomer Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) also registered seven kills a losing effort.
 
HU held an early lead in the opening set, 9-8, until the Terps scored four consecutive points and never looked back to take game one, 16-25.
 
After dropping set two, 17-25, Howard grabbed the advantage early in game three, 7-6, but Maryland responded with an 8-2 run and controlled the set to win game three, 17-25, and the match, 3-0.
 
Defensively, junior Essence Bell (Ocala, Fla.) registered a match-high 21 digs in the loss.
 
GAME 2
 
Rookie Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) notched a team-best 10 kills while recording a .429 hitting percentage.
 
HU took a three-point advantage midway through the opening set, 12-9, but hitting errors gave the Retrievers momentum to spark an 8-1 run and take game one, 18-25.
 
In game two, the Bison fought their way back and tied the contest at 24, but back-to-back kills from UMBC's Aysia Miller sealed set two for the Retrievers, 24-26.
 
Howard jumped out to a 5-1 lead in game three, but UMBC answered with a 9-3 run and never looked back to take the set, 19-25, and match, 3-0.
 
Senior Milexa Cardona (Kissimmee, Fla.) flirted with a double-double (19 assists & eight digs) while Bell added 14 digs (team-best) in the loss.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Saturday (Sept. 11), Howard closes out the weekend against Quinnipiac. Match time is slated for 11 a.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.