HOUSTON (September 5, 2024) – Howard University women's volleyball team opened the Molly Howard-Gerwig Memorial with a 3-1 (17-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-21) victory over Houston Christian (HCU).
 
With the win, HU moved to 3-1 while the Huskies dropped to 1-3 overall.
 
Junior outside hitter Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) and sophomore setter Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) led the Bison attack. McKinnon notched her third double-double of the season (17 kills & 11 digs) while the Pennsylvania native finished with 42 assists (career-high) and eight digs.
 
After dropping game one, 17-25, the Bison rebounded with a dominant second set. In game two, Howard produced a .370 hitting percentage and tied the match at one piece.
 
Both squads were deadlocked midway through game three until the Bison scored four unanswered to take a 16-12 advantage. From there, HU kept the Huskies at bay and took a 2-1 match lead into set four.
 
Houston Christian held a slim 11-10 lead in game four, but the Bison swung momentum back in their favor with a quick 5-0 spurt, 15-11. HCU pulled within two on multiple occasions, but Howard would hold off the late charge to win the set, 25-21, and match, 3-1.
 
Seniors Bria Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) and Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) returned to the Lone Star State with solid performances, combining for 22 kills, 12 digs, six total blocks and four services aces.
 
Defensively, junior libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) registered 18 digs while reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) added 11 digs and three total blocks in the victory.
 
For HCU, Cassidy Drapela recorded a double-double (14 kills & 11 digs) in the loss.
 
HU continues play Friday (Sept. 6) against New Mexico. Match time is slated for 4 p.m. (ET) / 3 p.m. (CT).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.