DURHAM, N.C. (September 3, 2021) – Howard University women's volleyball team dropped a pair at the Duke Invitational Friday.
 
In the morning, HU fell to the Blue Devils in four (25-20, 21-25, 13-25, 12-25). In the nightcap, the Bison lost a tough five set match to the College of Charleston (25-22, 15-25, 25-16, 16-25, 8-15).
 
MATCH 1 (HU vs. Duke)
 
Newcomer Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) led the Bison with a team-best 10 kills, along a match-high seven blocks (two solo), while producing a .563 hitting percentage.
 
After taking game one, 25-20, the Bison were in a back-and-forth affair late in set two. Third-year middle blocker Tamar Wells (Apopka, Fla.) tied the game at 19 apiece, but Duke closed out the set on a 7-2 run, 21-25, to tie the match, 1-1.
 
In sets three and four, the Bison were unable to get in a rhythm while committing 15 attack errors.
 
MATCH 2 (HU vs. College of Charleston)
 
Junior Kayla Diaz (Nanuet, N.Y.) produced her first double-double of the season, finishing with 27 assists and 11 digs in the loss.
 
Howard won game one, 25-22, thanks to five service aces, but Charleston took set two, 15-25, and the match, 1-1.
 
In the pivotal third set, HU reclaimed the match lead after recording six blocks, 25-16, but the Cougars refused to go away, forcing a fifth set.
 
Charleston outlasted Howard in the deciding set, 8-15, to win the match.
 
Freshman Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) flirted with a double-double, posting 15 digs and eight kills, along with four total blocks.
 
NEXT UP
 
Saturday (Sept. 4), HU wraps up the weekend against Miami (Ohio) inside Cameron Indoor Stadium. First serve is set for noon on the ACC Sports Network.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.