QUEENS, N.Y. (December 1, 2023) – Howard University women's volleyball team saw its 2023 campaign come to an end after a 3-0 loss (26-28, 21-25, 14-25) against St. John's (SJU) in the National Invitational Volleyball Tournament (NIVC) First Round.
 
Two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) finished her sophomore year with 11 kills, four digs and a pair of service aces in the setback.
 
HU grabbed the upper hand early in game one, opening the frame with an 8-3 run, capped off by a kill from senior middle blocker Amanda Ifeanyichukwu (The Woodlands, Texas). Despite having the advantage, Howard was unable to put the Red Storm away.
 
Gradually, St. John's clawed its way back and tied the game on multiple occasions late.
 
Howard had multiple opportunities to take set one, including a few set point chances, but SJU continued to battle, closing the game on a 6-2 spurt.
 
In set two, the Bison held a quick 6-5 advantage early until St. John's tallied nine consecutive points to take a commanding 14-6 lead midway through the game. HU fought back, but the deficit was too greater to overcome, 25-21.
 
HU pounced on the Red Storm early in game three, but SJU utilized a 5-0 spurt to take control. Howard pulled with four, but St. John's would finish the contest on an 8-1 run.
 
Rookie Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) wrapped her first season with 17 assists and six digs.
 
Defensively, second-year Bison Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) registered 16 digs in a losing effort.
 
For St. John's (24-10), Erin Jones had a match-leading 16 kills and seven digs while Lucrezia Lodi notched a double-double (17 digs & 10 kills) in the win.
 
Howard (17-15) secured its third straight winning season since COVID-19.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.