PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — Howard volleyball (13–9, 7–4 MEAC) defeated Maryland Eastern Shore (9–15, 6–5 MEAC) Sunday at the Hytche Center, taking a four-set decision, 25–16, 20–25, 25–16, 25–14.

UMES jumped out to a 5-2 lead before gaining a 9–8 edge midway through the set. Howard countered with a 6–1 run led by back-to-back kills from Alexys James (Houston, Texas) and Kristen Dear (Carson, Calif.) to seize control. Howard kept the pressure up as Aziah Buckner (Memphis, Tenn.) and Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) supplied late kills and service pressure . The Bison closed out the frame 25–16.

The second set was a back-and-forth affair. Both teams traded points through the middle portion, with UMES managing to build a late 21–18 margin after forcing a handful of Howard errors. Howard fought to stay within striking distance on kills from Buckner and Dear, but the Hawks sealed the set, 25–20, to even the match.

In the third, the teams were tied 7–7 before Howard ripped off a 6–1 run, featuring an ace from Halie McGinest (Calabasas, Calif.) and kills from McKinnon and Dear to widene the gap. Howard's net defense was stifling in the frame, with Kaitlynn Robinson (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Dear contributing key blocks as the Bison closed the set 25–16 to retake the lead.

The fourth set belonged to the Bison. Howard built a 10–5 advantage behind a balanced attack and precise distribution from standout setter Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas). Howard extended the lead with multi-point runs and sloppy serving from UMES, then finished the match on a 6–0 stretch capped by a Buckner kill for the 25–14 final.

Buckner led the match with 15 kills, adding three aces and nine digs. McKinnon added 14 kills and two aces. Dear recorded 12 kills and a team-high 6 blocks. Reeves dished out 47 assists and chipped in seven digs. Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) paced the defense with 16 digs, and Robinson's multiple rejections at the net helped tilt the blocking battle for the Bison.

Howard hit .258 (55 kills, 11 errors, 90 attacks) to UMES's .047 (34 kills, 28 errors, 127 attacks). The Bison also led in assists (50–33), digs (52–46) and blocks (12–9), finishing with eight service aces to UMES's three.

Howard returns to action Friday, November 7 at 6 p.m. when the Bison host NC Central for a 90s-themed night at Burr Gymnasium.

For more on Howard volleyball, visit the official Howard Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.