WASHINGTON (September 28, 2023) - As the Howard University volleyball team heads into a 10-day stretch that includes five games, it has reason to be optimistic.
 
Playing one of its toughest schedules in school history, the Bison are currently 6-8 (2-0 MEAC) while riding a three-game win streak, including conference-opening wins over South Carolina State and North Carolina Central this past weekend. This followed a six-game losing skid, featuring Georgia, No. 10 Georgia Tech, Maryland, Virginia and Rutgers.
 
Despite the tough stretch, there were some positives. 
 
Once the team got healthy, Howard Head Coach Shaun Kupferberg used the opportunity to develop the depth that he feels is essential.
 
"We were able to fix some things," said Kupferberg, the winningest coach in school history.  "The tough schedule enabled us to get better as a team. We were able to develop quality depth and played a lot of people. Depth creates the competition that makes you better."
 
That depth will be tested when they take on Delaware State in Dover, Del., Friday (Sept. 29) at 6 p.m. The much-improved Hornets took two-of-three from the Bison last season, including a win in the semifinals of last year's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament. Following that game, Howard will host Maryland Eastern Shore Sunday (Oct. 1) at 3 p.m., for Dig Pink.
 
"The conference has gotten a lot tougher and everyone has injuries at that point of the season, Kupferberg continued. "You have to have the next-person-up mentality."
 
Following this weekend, HU goes to Baltimore for back-to-back games at Morgan State (Oct. 6) and Coppin State (Oct. 8) before coming home to host High Point (Oct. 10). He pointed specifically to High Point and Coppin State as intriguing challenges.
 
"They are both above 500," he noted. "High Point is perennially a competitive program and we expect tough games against them. So, we will find out if we have fixed the things needed." 
 
Last season, Coppin State shared the regular season crown with the Bison.
 
Some of the key players include sophomore libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.), junior outside hitter Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas), MEAC Preseason Player of the Year sophomore outside hitter Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.), senior outside hitter Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles) and three-time MEAC Setter of the Week graduate Kayla Diaz (Rockland, N.Y.).
 
"We have played all 19 players on the roster," Kupferberg stated. "They have all contributed in some way and that is really important as we move to the next part of our schedule."
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.