WASHINGTON (October 13, 2023) – Howard University volleyball (8-11, 4-2 MEAC) ended the week on a high, defeating conference foe Norfolk State (5-8, 4-2 MEAC) in a 3-0 Senior Night sweep (26-24, 25-18, 25-20) Friday evening.
Second-year Bison Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) led the way with a match-leading 14 kills.
In the opening frame, Norfolk State (NSU) kept a slight edge over the Bison until a service error tied the floor, 6-6.
The Spartans began to pull away on a 5-1 run, but the Bison did not let them get far. Inching their way back, a kill by McKinnon would even the scoreboard, 15-15.
The score would balance five more times before flirting with set point. An attack error held the Spartans in place, 24-22, before the Bison capitalized on a 5-0 run to take the first set, 26-24.
The Bison offense kept the momentum going, opening the second set with an uncontested six-point run. HU maintained the lead through the set as the Spartans attempted to close the gap. A 4-0 NSU run late in the frame would get the Spartans close, 22-18, before a kill and back-to-back service aces from junior middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) closed the set, 25-18.
Eyeing the sweep, Howard broke ahead to a 9-4 lead. Feeling the pressure, the Spartans retaliated with an 8-1 run for a 12-10 advantage. A service ace by senior libero Amari Patterson (Chicago) would give the Bison a one-point edge over the Spartans before setting up Woodard for the kill, 15-13.
The score remained neck-and-neck until a final 7-1 run gave Howard the senior day sweep.
Fifth-year Bison Kayla Diaz (Rockland, N.Y.) commanded the floor with a game-high 34 assists.
Before the match, HU recognized five Bison for their hard work and dedication to the program: Diaz; Patterson; Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles); Ariel Finch (Los Angeles) and Kendall Smith (Chicago).
Gabrielle Gilbert led NSU with eight kills in the loss.
The Bison return to road play Wednesday, October 18, at 6 p.m., when they face Morgan State in a rescheduled match from October 6.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
