JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (September 6, 2025) – Howard University women's volleyball team downed Presbyterian College (PC) in four sets (26-24, 25-19, 24-26, 25-15) at the UNF Invitational, hosted by North Florida (UNF).
 
With the victory, HU won back-to-back matches for the first time this year while moving back over .500 (3-2) on the young season.
 
Three Bison recorded a double-double on the afternoon, led by senior outside hitter Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) with 20 kills (match-high) and 11 digs.
 
Both squads went back-and-forth in the opening set, using multiple runs throughout the game. PC's Ashley Miller tied the set late, 24-24, but consecutive kills from McKinnon and graduate outside hitter Aziah Buckner (Memphis, Tenn.) propelled the Bison to a 1-0 match lead.
 
Howard led game two from start-to-finish despite the Blue Hose recording a .333 hitting percentage in set two. HU countered with an impressive .419 hitting percentage, including 16 kills and a pair of service aces, and took a commanding 2-0 match lead into game three.
 
PC refused to go away despite several hitting errors in set three. Freshman Corinne Howard (Derwood, Md.) registered a kill and gave HU match point, 24-19, but Presbyterian capitalized on Bison hitting errors and closed the game with seven unanswered point; thus, taking set three, 26-24, and forcing a game four.
 
HU trailed early on in game four, 7-4, until the Bison went on an 11-0 run to put the set out of reach, 15-7. PC battled back, but Howard withstood the Blue Hose's late charge to win the game, 25-15, and match, 3-1.
 
Buckner notched a double-double (18 kills & 13 digs), along with four service aces (match-high), while senior setter Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) also produced a double-double of her own (46 assists & 15 digs). Freshman standout Alexys James (Houston), reigning MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Rookie of the Week, flirted with a double-double (11 digs & nine kills) in the victory.
 
Defensively, senior libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) had 14 digs while redshirt sophomore transfer Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) added eight total blocks (one solo) in the win.
 
Anisa Dorlouis led PC with a double-double, finishing with 39 assists and 13 digs. Miller fell just short of a double-double (13 kills & nine digs).
 
HU closes out the weekend with North Florida. Match time is slated for 2 p.m., live on ESPN+.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.