WASHINGTON (August 28, 2023) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) unveiled its women's volleyball weekly honors where Howard University saw three Bison recognized for their outstanding performances during opening weekend. The announcement came Monday afternoon.
 
Sophomore standout Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) claimed MEAC Player of the Week while graduate setter Kayla Diaz (Rockland, N.Y.) and Maya Gerlach (Philadelphia) took home the league's Setter of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively.
 
McKinnon, reigning MEAC Player of the Year, put on an incredible show during the D.C. Invitational (Aug. 25-27). The Alabama native averaged 5.49 kills per set while producing a pair of double-doubles. In the road win at George Mason (Aug. 27), she notched 30 kills (program record) and 13 digs in the comeback victory.
 
Diaz, 2022 MEAC Co-Setter of the Year, had 11.0 assists per set while guiding the Bison to a 2-1 mark. In the five-set victory over George Washington (Aug. 26), she racked up a career-best 58 assists. The following day at Mason, the New York product flirted with a double-double in the win (48 assists & nine digs).
 
Gerlach averaged nearly a block per set, totaling 11 blocks in 14 sets. The Philly native posted 11 kills while accumulating a .733 hitting percentage in the win over George Washington. At George Mason, she had five total blocks in the victory.
 
North Carolina Central's Amarah Johnson was named MEAC Rookie of the Week.
 
The Bison return to action Thursday, August 31, at 6 p.m., when they face N.C. State in Raleigh, N.C.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the MEAC website at www.MEACSports.com.