DOVER, Del. (November 18, 2023) – No. 2 Howard University women's volleyball team took down Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Champion No. 3 Delaware State (DSU) in straight sets (25-23, 25-17, 25-22).
 
With the win, HU advanced to the MEAC Title match where they face top-seeded Coppin State.
 
Senior outside hitter Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles) led the Bison attack with a team-high 13 kills while producing a .571 hitting percentage.
 
In game one, both squads hit .286 with 10 tied scores and four lead changes. Late into the set, both clubs were deadlocked at 21 until a bad set and kill by Bolden created separation for HU, 23-21, and propelled the Bison to a 1-0 match lead.
 
DSU (17-13) held the upper hand throughout game two until a 6-0 run put HU ahead, 14-12. Delaware State pulled within one, 14-13, but Howard finished the set on a 11-4 spurt and took a commanding 2-0 match lead.
 
Delaware State grabbed the lead throughout set three, but consecutive kills from Bolden and two-time MEAC Player of the Year Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) gave the Bison their first lead of the game, 19-18.
 
A service error tied the game, 19-19, but HU kept its composure to end the Lady Hornets' season with a 6-3 run, 25-22.
 
McKinnon flirted with a double-double (14 digs & nine kills) while setters Kayla Diaz (Rockland, N.Y.) and Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) combined for 36 assists.
 
Defensively, second-year Bison Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) had a match-leading 19 digs in the victory.
 
For DSU, Alondra Maldonado had a team-high nine kills in the loss.
 
Sunday's clash with Coppin State is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., live on ESPNU.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.