NEWARK, Del. (September 15, 2024) – Howard University women's volleyball team dropped an exciting five-set thriller at Delaware (18-25, 19-25, 29-27, 25-21, 13-15) after erasing a 2-0 match deficit.
 
With the loss, HU fell to 5-4 overall while the Blue Hens improved to 4-3 on the season.
 
Junior outside hitter Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) led the charge, flirting with a double-double (21 kills & nine digs).
 
UD led from start-to-finish in the first two frames while producing a .367 hitting percentage, but the Bison refused to go away without a fight.
 
Delaware held a slim two-point edge midway through game three, 15-13, until the Bison reeled off six unanswered points to take a 19-15 advantage late in the set. UD battled back and held match-point on multiple occasions, but HU continued to fight back.
 
Howard closed out the frame on a 3-0 run, highlighted by a pair of hitting errors and kill from rookie Halie McGinest (Calabasas, Calif.), 29-27.
 
Both clubs went back-and-forth in game four until HU created separation late, going on a 5-0 spurt; thus, earning set point, 24-19. Another hitting error from the Blue Hens ended frame four, 25-21, and forced the deciding fifth set.
 
The deciding fifth set was a seesaw affair with both squads unable to grab the upper hand. HU held a slim 13-11 lead down the stretch, but Delaware escaped with the victory, finishing the match with a 4-0 run, 15-11.
 
Senior middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) registered nine kills while setters Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) and Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) combined for 52 assists the loss.
 
Third-year libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) posted a match-leading 16 digs, followed by senior outside hitter Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) with 15 digs.
 
For UD, Anna Logan Gillens notched a team-high 17 kills while setter Lily Rogers added a double-double (51 assists & 12 digs) in the win.
 
Howard faces Princeton University inside Burr Gymnasium Friday (September 20) at 5 p.m., then Saturday (September 21), the Lady Bison play High Point University at 6 p.m., inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.