WASHINGTON (September 10, 2024) – Howard University women's volleyball team erased a 2-0 match deficit but came up just short in the deciding fifth set to crosstown rival American (20-25, 21-25, 25-23, 26-24, 11-15).
 
With the tough loss, HU dropped to 4-3 overall while the Eagles improved to 8-1 on the season.
 
Outside hitters senior Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) and junior Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) led the Bison with double-doubles. Awojobi recorded 14 digs and 10 kills, along with four services aces and three total blocks, while McKinnon, two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week, added 23 kills (match-high) and 16 digs.
 
Both squads were deadlocked late in game one, 18-18, but American (AU) closed the set on a 7-2 run to take a 1-0 match lead.
 
McKinnon's kill gave HU a 9-7 advantage in set two, but AU scored six consecutive points to grab the momentum while holding a 2-0 match advantage.
 
American held a 17-13 edge in game three, but the Bison refused to go away. HU chipped away at the deficit and took the lead late, 23-22. AU's Elise Sterling tied the match with a kill, 23-23, but a kill from senior middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) and Awojobi's ace sealed the victory in set three, 25-23.
 
Both clubs went back-and-forth in the fourth frame, but the Bison held on to erase a 2-0 match deficit while forcing a winner-take-all game five.
 
HU eclipsed an impressive .368 hitting percentage in the deciding set but was unable to overcome the Eagles scorching .409 hitting percentage. Both teams were deadlocked at 11 until American finished the game scoring four unanswered to win, 15-11.
 
Woodard produced 16 kills, five total blocks and three digs while setters Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) and Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) combined for 46 assists.
 
Third-year libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) led the way defensively, racking up 20 digs in the loss.
 
For AU, Adelina Berisha (18 digs & 15 kills) and Zedo Yilmaz (23 digs & 18 kills) led the Eagles with double-doubles.
 
On Sept. 14-15, Howard attends the Blue Hen Invitational in Newark, Del., hosted by the Delaware Blue Hens.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.