JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (September 5, 2025) – Howard University women's volleyball team got back in the win column Saturday afternoon, topping Harvard in straight sets (25-18, 25-20, 25-22) at the UNF Invitational, hosted by North Florida (UNF).
 
Senior Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) and redshirt sophomore Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) led the Bison attack with 10 kills apiece.
 
HU held an 11-5 advantage early in game one until Harvard went on a 5-0 spurt to pull within one, 11-10. From there, the Bison dominated while capitalizing on multiple hitting errors. Howard finished set one with a .481 hitting percentage while taking game one, 25-18.
 
Harvard took an 11-9 lead midway through set two until graduate outside hitter Aziah Buckner (Memphis, Tenn.) sparked a 10-0 run with four service aces; thus, putting the game out of reach and giving the Bison a commanding 2-0 advantage into set three.
 
Both clubs went back-and-forth in game three. Harvard held a slim lead late, 22-21, until the Bison closed out the set and match with a 4-0 spurt, led by the trio of Buckner, Jethroe and McKinnon.
 
Buckner filled the stat sheet, recording six kills, six service aces, five digs and a block.
 
Senior Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) posted a match-leading 33 assists in the victory.
 
Ali Farquhar led Harvard with nine kills in a losing effort.
 
Saturday (Sept. 6), HU (2-2) squares off against Presbyterian College. Match time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.