DOVER, Del. (September 29, 2023) - Howard University volleyball's (6-9, 2-1 MEAC) three-game win streak came to a halt with Friday night's 3-0 loss (25-23, 25-16, 25-19) to conference rival Delaware State (9-8, 2-1 MEAC).
Sophomore Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) led the Bison with seven kills while fifth-year senior Kayla Diaz (Rockland, N.Y.) helped with 15 assists.
The Hornets struck first, coming out with three straight points before the Bison began to level the playing field. The scoreboard would even out eight times before the Hornets went on a six-point crusade – gaining a 16-11 advantage. The Bison soon found their own uncontested run, putting them within arm's reach of Delaware State (DSU), 21-19.
Determined to keep the Hornets in place, four straight points from Howard would tie the court 23-23. The short surge would fall short as the Hornets ended the set with back-to-back kills, 25-23.
The second set proved less balanced as the Hornets jumped out to an 18-6 lead with the help of multiple uninterrupted runs. The Bison had trouble finding their footing, giving up the second set, 25-16.
The third set would work in threes as DSU opened the final set with another 3-0 lead. That did not last long as the Hornets gave up three points to the Bison, evening the playing field. The three-point banter would repeat for a 6-6 score before the Hornets pulled away, 13-7. Trailing the rest of the set, the Bison picked up tenacity as set match drew near.
With the Hornets just two points away from the sweep, the Bison picked up three straight points to boost morale and hopes for a fourth set. The Hornets would once again close out the set with consecutive kills.
Senior Jennifer Bolden (Los Angeles) finished with seven kills, followed by junior Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) with five kills.
Defensively, second-year Bison Claire Simpson (Plainville, Ill.) continues to lead the Bison in digs, collecting 11 throughout the night.
Gerren Tomlin led the Lady Hornets with nine kills and two total blocks in the victory.
The Bison return to The Burr Sunday, October 1, when they host Maryland Eastern Shore in their Dig Pink game at 3 p.m.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
