WASHINGTON (October 10, 2023) – Howard University women's volleyball team dropped its nonconference bout to Big South Champion High Point (HPU) in four sets (17-25, 25-20, 13-25, 11-25) at Burr Gymnasium.
 
Senior outside hitter Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles) led the Bison with nine kills.
 
After falling behind early in the opening set, 1-0, HPU took control and took a 1-0 match lead.
 
Both clubs went back-and-forth throughout game two until the Bison created separation midway, 16-13. HPU pulled within one after a service ace by Dylan Maberry, 16-15, but multiple hitting errors by the Panthers extended HU's advantage late, 21-15. High Point made another run, but third-year Bison Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) closed the set with a kill, 25-20, and tied the match at one apiece.
 
In game three, both squads were deadlocked at eight until the Panthers went on a quick 4-0 run, 12-8. From that point on, High Point regained the momentum with a .320 hitting percentage in set three and took a 2-1 match lead in game four.
 
HPU's momentum rolled into set four, eclipsing a .462 hitting percentage, led by Maberry with seven kills. High Point opened game four with a 7-0 run and never looked back, winning the set, 25-11, and match, 3-1.
 
Fifth-year setter Kayla Diaz (Rockland, N.Y.) finished the night with 26 assists, eight digs and a pair of blocks.
 
Defensively, second-year Bison Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) racked up 20 digs in a losing effort.
 
For HPU (12-6), they extended its win streak to six. Maberry and Allie Gray led the Panthers with double-doubles, respectively.
 
Howard (7-11) faces Norfolk State at home for Senior Night Friday, Oct. 13. Match time is set for 6 p.m., inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.