DOVER, Del. (November 1, 2024) – Howard University women's volleyball team pushed its win streak to 11 after topping Delaware State (DSU) in straight sets (25-22, 25-23, 25-22).
With the victory, HU improved to 17-5 overall while remaining unblemished in league play (10-0).
Senior middle blocker
Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) and junior outside hitter
Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) led the charge with nine kills apiece.
Howard held a six-point advantage late in the opening frame after McKinnon's kill, 21-15, but DSU battled back and pulled within one, thanks to a kill from Valeria Otero, 23-22. Senior outside hitter
Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) gave HU set point with a kill moments later, 24-22, followed by a joint block from the New York native and graduate
Amanda Ifeanyichukwu (The Woodlands, Texas) that sealed the game one victory, 25-22.
Both squads went back-and-forth in set two with neither team able to create separation. DSU's Martyna Kmuk tied the game late with a kill, 23-23, but McKinnon delivered the go-ahead kill, 24-23. Shortly after, a bad set from Delaware State gave HU the set, 25-23, and a commanding 2-0 match lead.
DSU took a 17-9 lead midway through game three, but several hitting errors kept HU alive. Senior outside hitter
Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) tied the set late, 19-19, and spearheaded a quick 4-0 spurt, 22-19, which the Bison never looked back. Delaware State refused to go away, but miscues down the stretch secured Howard's 11 straight victory.
Awojobi registered eight kills and seven digs on the night.
Defensively, Ifeanyichukwu finished with seven total blocks (one solo) while junior libero
Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) add a team-leading 10 digs in the win.
DSU (10-12, 6-3 MEAC) saw its six-match win streak come to a halt. Gerren Tomlin notched a double-double (13 kills & 13 digs) in the loss.
Sunday (Nov. 3), HU hosts Maryland Eastern Shore inside The Burr for Youth Day. First serve is slated for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.