RALEIGH, N.C. (September 2, 2023) – Howard University women's volleyball team dropped a tough bout against Rutgers (RU), falling in straight sets (23-25, 25-27, 17-25) at the Wolfpack Invitational, hosted by North Carolina State.
 
Senior outside hitter Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles) led the Bison attack with a team-leading 10 kills.
 
HU took the early advantage after a kill by Bolden during the opening frame, 4-2, but the Scarlett Knights responded with an 8-1 run to take control of game one, 10-5. Rutgers held an 11-point lead late in the set, 23-12, until the Bison scored nine unanswered, led by graduate setter Kayla Diaz (Rockland, N.Y.) producing three service aces during the rotation. Howard's comeback would fall short after two errors; thus, giving Rutgers game one, 25-23.
 
Howard jumped out to an 6-1 lead in set two, highlighted by three kills from Bolden. HU kept the pressure on midway through the game, holding a six-point advantage after a combined block by junior Maya Gerlach (Philadelphia) and sophomore Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.), 11-6.
 
HU had a nine-point lead late in game two, 20-11, until multiple hitting errors got Rutgers back into the set. Both squads were deadlocked at 23-23 after an attack error by the Bison. Howard regained the upper hand, 24-23, thanks to Bolden's kill, but the Scarlet Knights would close out the set on a 4-1 run to take a commanding 2-0 match lead.
 
In game three, junior Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) gave HU a 4-2 advantage early on, but a quick 4-0 run put Rutgers ahead, 6-4. Both clubs went back-and-forth throughout the set until the Scarlet Knights created separation late in the game. Third-year Bison Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) pulled Howard within two, 19-17, but RU finished the set on a 6-0 spurt to end the match.
 
Diaz and sophomore setter Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) combined for 35 assists, six digs and five services aces for the Bison.
 
McKinnon, reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year, saw her streak of double-doubles come to an end. The Alabama product finished the afternoon with nine kills and six digs in a losing effort.
 
For Rutgers (4-1), Alyssa Nayar flirted with a double-double (29 assists & nine digs) while Alissa Kinkela had a match-high 12 kills, six total blocks, four digs and two service aces in the win.
 
On Sept. 8, HU returns to The District where they face ACC opponent Virginia inside The Burr. Match time is scheduled for 6 p.m. as part of the DMV Invitational weekend.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.