WASHINGTON (August 20, 2024) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) uncovered its 2024 women's volleyball preseason honors where Howard University was picked first in the league's preseason poll. The announcement came Tuesday afternoon.
 
HU tallied 124 points with 14 first-place votes. Last season, the Bison finished 11-3 in conference play (17-15 overall) and reached the MEAC Title match.
 
Reigning MEAC Champion Coppin State is projected to finish second after scoring 101 points, including a first-place vote.
 
Additionally, the league unveiled its preseason awards where junior outside hitter Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) was selected MEAC Preseason Player of the Year. The two-time MEAC Player of the Year led the conference in several categories, including total points (410.5), total kills (372) and 20-kill performances (5). In MEAC play, she averaged 4.64 points and 4.05 kills.
 
McKinnon and senior middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) were named to the Preseason All-MEAC Team.
 
Woodard competed in 27 matches (97 sets) while ranking among the conference leaders in hitting percentage (2^nd) and blocks per set (6^th).
 
All awards were voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Friday (Aug. 30), Howard opens the season with DMV rival George Mason inside Burr Gymnasium. Match time is slated for 6 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the MEAC website at www.MEACSports.com.