WASHINGTON (November 15, 2024) – Howard University women's volleyball team closed out the regular season with a 3-0 sweep (25-19, 25-18, 25-17) over Norfolk State (NSU) inside Burr Gymnasium.
With the victory, HU extended its win streak to 15 while going a perfect 14-0 in MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) play (21-5 overall).
Howard recorded 51 kills with a .369 hitting percentage.
Reigning MEAC Player of the Year junior outside hitter
Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) led the charge, flirting with a double-double (16 kills & nine digs).
Despite NSU (13-14, 7-7 MEAC) producing a .306 hitting percentage in game one, HU was in control throughout set one. Howard took the first frame, 25-19, while registering a scorching .600 hitting percentage.
Norfolk State grabbed an early lead in game two with back-to-back hitting errors, 6-4, but the Bison answered with a 5-0 spurt, highlighted by a pair of service aces from senior outside hitter
Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.), 9-6. From there, the Bison never looked back; thus, taking a commanding 2-0 match lead into the third frame.
Both squads went back-and-forth in game three, but the Spartans held a slim 9-7 advantage. Moments later, senior outside hitter
Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) delivered back-to-back kills, sparking a 5-0 run while giving HU a 12-9 lead. NSU continued to fight, but Howard kept the Spartans at bay to secure its 15
th straight win.
Awojobi just missed a double-double (12 digs & nine kills) while middle blockers
Amanda Ifeanyichukwu (The Woodlands) and
Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) added seven kills apiece.
Third-year Bison setter
Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) notched 46 assists, five digs and two service aces.
Defensively, junior libero
Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) had 17 digs in the victory.
Before the match, head coach
Shaun Kupferberg and the staff recognized three managers for their hard work and dedication to the program. Additionally, McKinnon and Simpson were acknowledged for reaching milestones in career kills (1,000) and career digs (1,000), respectively.
Gabrielle Gilbert led the Spartans with 11 kills in a losing effort.
Howard is set to play in the MEAC Tournament (Nov.22-24) in Dover, Del., hosted by Delaware State University.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
