ORANGEBURG, S.C. (September 30, 2024) – Howard University women's volleyball team took down South Carolina State (SCSU) in straight sets (25-19, 25-20, 25-22).
 
Sophomore outside hitter Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) flirted with another double-double (17 kills & eight digs) while producing a .355 hitting percentage in the victory.
 
SCSU (1-10, 0-1 MEAC) grabbed the first point in set one, 1-0, but the lead was short-lived. HU took the momentum, recording a .353 hitting percentage in game one, and held a 1-0 match advantage.
 
Howard led from start-to-finish in set two, capped off by a game-winning kill from senior middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas), and took a commanding 2-0 match lead into game three.
 
SCSU refused to go down without a fight in set three, tying the frame at 10 with a kill from Xaria Pickett. HU went on a quick 3-0 spurt to create separation, but the Lady Bulldogs kept pace.
 
South Carolina State pulled within one late in game three, 20-19, but Howard outlasted the Lady Bulldogs to win set three, 25-22, and the match, 3-0.
 
Woodard notched nine kills with a .615 hitting percentage, along with three total blocks.
 
Third-year Bison Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) racked up 17 digs in the victory.
 
Pickett led SCSU with a double-double (15 kills & 10 digs) in the loss.
 
HU (8-5, 2-0 MEAC) is set to face Delaware State University Friday (Oct 4.) at 6 p.m., inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.