WASHINGTON (August 21, 2023) - In sports and athletics, disappointment can be the ultimate motivator for underachievement. Such may be the case with the Howard University women's volleyball program that has set lofty standards with its past success in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
 
Most programs would be content, in fact, satisfied with a winning record (20-10, 12-2 MEAC) and a regular season co-championship in 2022. So not advancing to the conference tournament final and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament left something to be desired.
 
Some of the disappointment can be attributed to untimely and nagging injuries, which forced more younger players to take on the unexpected roles.
 
Under Head Coach Shaun Kupferberg, the program has reached great heights. Since taking over in 2012, he has six tournament titles, resulting in six coveted NCAA appearance. Yet, those close to Kupferberg will tell you that he is never one to make excuses.
 
"Last season was a different kind of year for us," says Kupferberg. "There was a combination of youth and injuries that made for inconsistency the main thing in returning and avoiding apathy in any program is sustained success. This group does not have any banners or championships that they can point to. It is a new team every year. We had a great Spring 2023, but we will have to see if that translates into a great season."
 
Last year, sophomore standout Rya McKinnon (Bessemer, Ala.) won the 2022 MEAC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, was also named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Honorable Mention and East Region Freshman of the Year after leading the Bison to a share of the 2022 MEAC regular-season title and a 20-win season. Her 3.37 kills per set led the conference, along with 3.83 points per set, and she was fourth in hitting percentage (.324). In MEAC play, McKinnon averaged 4.05 kills and 4.64 points per set.
 
Junior middle blocker Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) and her twin sister, Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas), have been through the wars of Division I volleyball and figure to be prominent contributors.
 
"Leadership is probably the most important key to success," he states. "I have always believed that players lead the team. It's all about accountability."
 
Senior outside hitter Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles), who was named to the preseason All-Conference team, brings talent and should be a strong factor. Kupferberg expects significant contributions from sophomore Libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.).
 
"Last year was very disappointing; we fell short of our goals," said Howard graduate Kayla Diaz (Nanuet, N.Y.), 2022 MEAC Co-Setter of the Year. "I have been here and seen the program grow and establish itself over the years. The most important thing in returning to where we want to be is accountability and that includes me."
 
As a team, Howard led the MEAC in several statistical categories, including points, hitting percentage, kills and assists.
 
Off the court, the Bison have eight players returning who were named to the 2022 MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic team, a constant under Coach Kupferberg's watch.
 
"At Howard University, we recruit excellence, whether it's volleyball or any other sport," Kupferberg stated. "They must have the mindset to take it all seriously. The expectations are high and you have to set goals for yourself in the classroom and on the court."
 
By having been the team to beat in the MEAC, Howard has now become the team that gets everybody's best shot. It is important to note that Coppin State, Delaware State and Howard all had 20-win seasons in 2022, marking the first time since 2005 three MEAC programs reached that mark.
 
"The conference has really gotten better since I arrived here," explained Kupferberg "They are playing more national competition and there are certainly better coaches and athletes. That puts us in a position to continue to grow the program."
 
"The teams in the conference have really improved since I have been here," says C. Woodard, the African American studies major. "We may have been caught off guard at times last season and it helped us. You could see in the spring that there is a different focus on the team. There is a determination to not take anything for granted."
 
Traditionally, head coaches design their schedules strategically, based on various factors, like number of returnees and conference tournament preparation. Kupferberg went away from tradition and opted to get his players' input this time around.
 
"I talked to the players before we put the schedule together," he admits. "They indicated that they want to be pushed as hard as possible. To that end, we have one of our most difficult schedules ever. We feel that the battles will serve as a test and preparation as the season progresses."
 
Howard opens the season Friday (August 25) when it hosts Georgetown at Burr Gymnasium. The Bison play at North Carolina State, at Georgia Tech and Georgia and will host Virginia and Maryland inside The Burr.
 
As far as recruiting, he attributes some of the success to the Howard profile of successful former student-athletes.
 
"We have alums who are in the media, marketing and very successful as coaches and leaders in their respective careers. It helps when we point that out to our players and recruits. It is all relation based."

Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information, and Sareyah Rudd, MJFC major, c/o '25, contributed to this story.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.