WASHINGTON (August 26, 2023) – A minor setback for a major comeback was the theme in Burr Gymnasium this weekend as the Howard University women's volleyball team (1-1) earned its first win of the season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over local rival George Washington (0-2) Saturday afternoon.
In an impressive display, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) set the tone, recording career highs in kills (27) and digs (18).
During the opening frame, HU tied it up 6-6 before gradually making its way to a 19-17 advantage. The Revolutionaries' inched within a three-point deficit before junior Maya Gerlach (Philadelphia) closed the game with a kill, 25-21.
The Revolutionaries gave up two points to start the set two, but the hole they dug was quickly filled with a five-point run. Three more quick points gave the DC rival an 8-3 advantage over the Bison. HU fought and bounced back, coming within a point twice in the set, but the revolutionary offense proved too much as George Washington (GW) claimed the set, 25-17.
The HU setback was short-lived as the Bison came out hot in the third, cruising to a 5-2 lead before the Revolutionaries caught up at 10-10. Four straight points for the Bison stunned GW into a timeout to regroup. The meeting proved fruitless as the Revolutionaries gave up seven consecutive points, causing a deficit they would not bounce back from. First-year Bison Kaitlynn Robinson (Oklahoma City, Okla.) snuck in her second kill of the game before closing out the set, 25-16.
GW, ready to rebound, gained an early lead over Howard to the delight of their cheering fans, who made the short trip across town. The Bison silenced the mayhem, gaining momentum once again by setting off on a multi-point run. Bouncing back to a 10-4 lead, the Bison continued to hold the Revolutionaries at bay, but multiple runs on both sides of the net saw the score close.
GW offense held their ground, working their way to a 17-14 lead. With long rallies and thunderous kills, both teams put on an exciting display in the fourth. Back-to-back kills by Gerlach set the home side of Burr ablaze. The high-hitting efforts fell short as the Revolutionaries forced a fifth set, 25-21.
McKinnon opened the final set for the Bison with four kills. Working their way to an 11-6 lead, kill after kill brought the Bison one point closer to victory. Junior Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) called dibs on the final nail in the coffin, closing the set, 15-10.
It was a night of career highs. Sophomore Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) notched a career-high 28 digs.
Reigning MEAC Co-Setter of the Year Kayla Diaz (Rockland, N.Y.) added a whopping 58 assists to her stacked accolades.
The Bison continue the action at 2 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 27) at George Mason to close out their run in this year's D.C. Invitational.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
