NEW ORLEANS (September 2, 2022) – Howard University women's volleyball team dropped a pair of matches at the Green Wave Classic, hosted by Tulane University.
 
With the setbacks, HU fell to .500 (2-2) on the young season.
 
HOWARD 1, TULANE 3
 
HU suffered its first setback of the season with a tough 3-1 (16-25, 25-23, 23-25, 16-25) loss to the Green Wave.
 
Third-year outside hitter Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles) led the way with 13 kills in the loss.
 
After dropping game one, 25-16, HU found themselves trailing late in set two until they finished the frame with six unanswered points, highlighted by a pair of services aces from senior setter Kayla Diaz (Nanuet, N.Y.), and tied the match at one apiece.
 
In the pivotal game three, both clubs went back-and-forth. Tulane held the upper hand late, but the Bison went on another charge down the stretch. HU came within one from tying the third set, but a Bison service error gave the Green Wave a 2-1 match advantage.
 
HU battled in the fourth set, but a 9-0 spurt by Tulane put the game out-of-reach.
 
Diaz had a match-best 38 digs, seven digs and three service aces while fellow classmate Tamar Wells (Apopka, Fla.) added eight kills and three total blocks (one solo) in the loss.
 
HOWARD 1, OHIO 3
 
In a quick turnaround, HU came up short against the Bobcats (28-30, 25-19, 19-25, 14-25).
 
Reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Year sophomore Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) provided the spark, finishing just shy of a double-double with 13 kills and nine digs.
 
The first frame witnessed a seesaw affair with HU holding a lead late, but the Bobcats scored three straight times to take game one, 30-28.
 
Howard responded and dominated game two, producing a match-best .344 hitting percentage. Ohio held a slim 8-7 edge until the Bison went on a 7-0 run, capped off by Diaz's four service aces, and tied the contest at one each.
 
Both squads were deadlocked at 14 midway through the game three, but Ohio went on a 6-0 spurt to take the set and hold a 2-1 match lead.
 
Ohio led from start-to-finish in the fourth frame to win the match.
 
Diaz racked up her first double-double of the season (36 assists and 15 digs) while Bolden recorded 10 kills in the loss.
 
NEXT UP: Howard concludes the weekend Saturday (Sept. 3) with a matchup versus Kansas City. Match time is set for noon (ET).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.