DURHAM, N.C. (September 29, 2024) – Howard University women's volleyball team opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with a three-set sweep at North Carolina Central (25-17, 25-15, 25-22).
 
Overall, the Bison posted a .311 hitting percentage with 46 kills. Two-time MEAC Player of the Year junior outside hitter Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) led the charge, flirting with a double-double (18 kills & nine digs) in the win.
 
North Carolina Central's Karmen Harper recorded the contest's first point with a kill, but the Eagles' advantage was short-lived. HU (7-5, 1-0 MEAC) scored five unanswered and never looked back, eclipsing a .344 hitting percentage while taking a 1-0 match lead.
 
Howard held a 12-8 advantage early in set two until the Eagles went on a quick 3-0 spurt to pull within one, 12-11. From there, the Bison responded with nine unanswered points and took control of game two, 21-11. HU went on to win set two, 25-15, and grabbed a commanding 2-0 match lead.
 
NCCU (3-10, 1-1 MEAC) took a 10-8 lead in game three, but the Bison battled back. Midway through the set, both squads were deadlocked at 15 until a couple of Eagle miscues and kill from senior outside hitter Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) gave HU a slight edge, 18-15. North Carolina Central refused to go away, but Howard withstood the Eagles' late charge to win game three, 25-22, and match, 3-0.
 
Awojobi finished with a double-double (12 digs & 10 kills) while follow classmate middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) racked up 10 kills and four total blocks (one solo) in the victory.
 
Harper led the Eagles with 10 kills in a losing effort.
 
Monday (Sept. 30), HU goes to Orangeburg, S.C., to face South Carolina State. Match time is slated for 1 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.