BALTIMORE (October 8, 2023) - Howard University volleyball team returned to action in Baltimore where they fell in straight sets to rival Coppin State (25-23, 25-22, 25-19).
 
With the loss, HU dropped to 7-10 overall (3-2 MEAC).
 
Sophomore standout Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) registered a match-high 15 kills and seven digs in the loss.
 
The Bison got an early 6-5 lead until the Eagles took flight on an eight-point run, 13-6.
 
Howard slowly closed the gap, working its way to a 22-19 score off nine kills. A kill-error combo would nudge the Eagles to set point. Determined to complete the comeback, HU sent over a kill before accepting another point from the Eagles' error, 24-23.
 
The near comeback fell short as an attack error would hand the Eagles game one, 25-23.
 
The Bison jumped to an early lead, 3-1, once again before Coppin State (CSU) inched its way to a 10-9 hole. The deficit soon turned into a 17-12 advantage that helped keep a slight edge over the Bison as they crept to a one-point disadvantage, 21-20. 
 
The Bison effort fell short as CSU would close it out with a kill, claiming the second set, 25-22.
 
Keeping the momentum going, the Eagles soared to a 7-3 lead before the Bison cut the deficit to a 9-8 gap.
 
Back-and-forth multi-point runs from both sides of the court nearly leveled the scoreboard but the Eagles kept the upper hand, inching away to a 25-19 finish for the sweep.
 
Third-year Bison middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) produced a .412 hitting percentage while collecting 10 kills on the afternoon. Fifth-year setter Kayla Diaz (Rockland, N.Y.) racked up 34 assists and five digs in a losing effort.
 
For CSU, they remain unbeaten in league play (16-3, 6-0 MEAC). Geradlyn Palacios led the Eagles with 10 kills.
 
The Bison are back in The Burr Tuesday, October 10, when they host High Point for Throwback Jersey Night.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.