WASHINGTON (September 23, 2022) – Howard University women's volleyball team fell in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener versus Delaware State in four sets (21-25, 22-25, 25-11, 24-26).
 
With the setback, HU dropped a game under .500 (6-7, 0-1 MEAC) while the Lady Hornets improved to 11-3 (1-0 MEAC).
 
Howard produced a .370 hitting percentage, led by freshman standout Rya McKinnon (Bessemer, Ala.). The Alabama native finished with her second double-double of the season, posting 17 kills (match-high) and 13 digs.
 
In game one, senior middle blocker Tamar Wells (Apopka, Fla.) tied the set at 16 apiece, but the Lady Hornets gradually regained the momentum and took set one, 25-21.
 
HU held a slim 13-12 edge midway through the second set until Delaware State (DSU) went on a quick 4-0 run to take control and win game two, 25-22, and take a commanding 2-0 match lead.
 
Howard dominated set three and closed the match deficit. In the third set, McKinnon and second-year Bison Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) led the charge and guided HU to a .565 hitting percentage in the game.
 
Both squads went back-and-forth in game four. Late in the set, sophomore middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) delivered a kill and tied the game at 24, but the Lady Hornets would score the final two points to win the set, 26-24 and match, 3-1.
 
Wells and Awojobi combined for 23 kills in the loss.
 
Senior setter Kayla Diaz (Nanuet, N.Y.) recorded a career-high 54 assists, eight digs and three blocks in a losing effort.
 
For DSU, Karen Cordero had a team-leading 13 kills while Valeria Otero added 12 kills in the victory.
 
Sunday (Sept. 25), Howard travels to Princess Anne, Md., to face Maryland Eastern Shore. Match time is set for 3 p.m. inside the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.