WASHINGTON (August 31, 2024) – Howard University women's volleyball team suffered its first setback of the young season, falling in straight sets to crosstown rival George Washington (19-25, 18-25, 19-25).
 
Duo Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) and Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) led the Bison attack. McKinnon, two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year, racked up 10 kills (team-high) and eight digs while the New York native finished with 12 digs (team-high) and eight kills in the loss.
 
Both squads were deadlocked midway through the first frame, 14-14, until George Washington (GW) created separation during the latter part, thanks to back-to-back kills from Salem Yohannes, 19-16. HU fought back, pulling within one after consecutive kills by rookie Halie McGinest (Calabasas, Calif.), 19-18, but GW closed out game one on a 6-1 run to take a 1-0 match advantage.
 
After trailing midway through set two, 13-10, the Bison scored four unanswered and held a slim one-point lead, 14-13. From there, George Washington regained the upper hand with three straight points, 16-14, and finished the set on a 12-4 spurt, 25-18.
 
HU refused to go away in the third set, taking a 16-14 edge, thanks to a 4-0 run. GW battled back with a run of their own, scoring five straight points, 19-16. From that point, the Revolutionaries ended the set and match with a 6-3 spurt, 25-19.
 
Third-year setter Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) saw action in two sets, recording a team-leading 15 assists and six digs. All-MEAC selection senior middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) filled the stat sheet, registering five kills, four digs and a pair of blocks (one solo).
 
Yohannes led the way for GW (2-0), producing a double-double (15 kills & 11 digs) and three service aces.
 
Howard wraps up the holiday weekend at rival Georgetown Sunday (Sept. 1) as part of the annual D.C. Invitational. Match time is slated for 1 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.