WASHINGTON (October 1, 2023) – Howard University volleyball (7-9,3-1 MEAC) bounced back to the winner's circle Sunday afternoon with a 3-0 sweep (25-20, 25-21, 25-19) over Maryland Eastern Shore (8-7,1-2 MEAC).
 
Sophomore standout Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) led the way with 14 kills, four digs and a pair of service aces in the win.
 
In an evenly paced set one, the Bison held a slight 10-9 edge over the Hawks before creeping away to a 16-10 advantage. HU would send over three more kills but a volley of errors elevated the Bison to a 25-20 win.
 
McKinnon and junior middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) would prove to be a dynamic duo in game two, opening the set with three kills before garnering 13 more between the two. The Bison's 3-0 lead soon grew to 10-3, but the Hawks inched their way in closing the gap, 15-13.
 
The small deficit soon ballooned again when the Bison went on a four-count run, 19-13. Five kills would aid the Hawks in a comeback, but the attacks fell short as McKinnon closed the set with an echoing kill in Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) territory.
 
For the first set of the match, UMES opened the scoring with a 3-0 lead. The Hawks kept the momentum high, cruising to an 8-3 advantage. The Bison slowly dissipated the difference, finding their way to a 14-12 score before taking a one-point lead, 15-14, with the help of an ace by McKinnon.
 
HU would go on to keep the narrow advantage over the visitors before pulling away to match point, 24-18. The Hawks would squeeze in one more attack to keep the Bison away from the sweep, but McKinnon closed the contest with another kill for a 25-19 win.
 
The Bison dominated on all offensive fronts, besting the Hawks in kills (42-26), attacks (96-80), hitting percentage (.292-.087), assists (39-25) and aces (9-3).
 
The feat highlighted the Bison's Dig Pink Game - a matchup supporting breast cancer awareness. In honor of the recognition, the Bison donned themed pink and white uniforms in the victory.
 
For UMES, Ranyla Griggs had nine kills in a losing effort.
 
The Bison are back on the road October 6 at 6 p.m., when they face Morgan State in Baltimore.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.