UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (September 16, 2022) – Howard University women's volleyball team earned a split on Day One of the Penn State Classic, hosted by Penn State University.
 
HOWARD 3, COASTAL CAROLINA 0
 
Howard opened the weekend with a three-set victory over Coastal Carolina (26-24, 25-19, 25-22).
 
Freshman standout Rya McKinnon (Bessemer, Ala.) led the way with 11 kills and six digs in the victory.
 
HU trailed as much as six midway through the first set, 14-8, but rallied to take game one, 26-24.
 
Howard fell behind early in set two, 8-5, but rebounded and gained momentum to take a commanding 2-0 match lead, 25-19.
 
Coastal Carolina held a slim 20-19 edge in game three, but HU powered its way to victory and earned a three-set match win.
 
Senior setter Kayla Diaz (Nanuet, N.Y.) finished with 37 assists while fellow classmate Essence Bell (Ocala, Fla.) recorded 12 digs and a pair of service aces in the win.
 
HOWARD 0, PENN STATE 3
 
HU saw its brief three-match win streak come to a halt, falling to Penn State in straight sets (18-25, 12-25, 18-25).
 
Junior outside hitter Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles) led the Bison with a team-leading eight kills.
 
Both clubs went back-and-forth in game one until the Nittany Lions pulled away late to take set one, 25-18.
 
Penn State cruised in game one, 25-12, but the Bison refused to go away without a fight.
 
Howard held a slim 17-16 advantage late in set three until Penn State closed out the match on a 9-1 run to sweep HU.
 
Diaz registered 23 assists and six digs in a losing effort.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Saturday (Sept. 17), Howard closes out the weekend against UAlbany. Match time is slated for 3:30 p.m. (ET).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.