WASHINGTON (September 19, 2023) – Howard University volleyball (4-8) made its way back to the winner's column Tuesday night with a 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-22) win over American University (6-5).
Reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) sophomore standout Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) led the way with a match-leading 21 kills, six digs and four service aces in the victory.
In the opening frame, a five-point run gave the Bison an early lead, 6-1. HU held the upper hand throughout the set as the Eagles inched closer with the help of several errors. Back-to-back errors would cost the Bison as American (AU) gained a 23-22 advantage, forcing a Howard timeout. Junior setter Esma Sipahi launched an ace across the court for set point before setting the Eagles up for a kill to close out the first set, 25-23.
In game two, although the Bison opened the second set with a powerful kill by McKinnon, the Eagles flew away with six uncontested points for the lead, 11-8. HU would not let that happen again, staying close behind before balancing the board, 22-22. Three more kills by McKinnon were the final nails in the coffin as the Bison claimed their first set of the night, 25-23.
In the pivotal set three, AU jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead before holding the advantage through the first 14 points. The opponents bobbled the lead across the court until six uninterrupted points handed the Bison a 25-19 win in set three.
The fourth set proved every bit of dire as the Eagles fought to keep the match alive.
American held the advantage until the Bison leveled the playing field and pulled away point-by-point to a 22-17 lead. A short Eagles run held the Bison at match point, 24-22, but AU could only stall but so much as junior Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) closed the night out with a kill, 25-22.
Senior outside hitter Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles) registered 15 kills while producing a .650 hitting percentage.
Sofia Osterdahl led the Eagles with a double-double (13 kills & 11 digs) in the loss.
The Bison return to the court Friday, September 22, at 6 p.m., in their conference opener against South Carolina State.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
