JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (September 7, 2025) – Howard University women's volleyball team won the 2025 UNF Invitational after defeating host North Florida (UNF) in straight sets (25-12, 25-19, 25-18) Sunday afternoon.
 
With the victory, HU improved to 4-2 overall while extending its win streak to three.
 
Graduate Aziah Buckner (Memphis, Tenn.) led the Bison attack with her second straight double-double (13 digs and 10 kills). After the match, she was named tournament MVP after averaging a double-double (11.3 kills & 10.3 digs), along with 4.0 service aces, in three wins.
 
UNF (3-4) held a slim advantage early in game one, 9-8, until the Bison scored seven unanswered points to take a 15-9 lead midway through the opening set. HU kept the pressure on, closing the set one on a 10-3 run and taking a 1-0 match lead.
 
North Florida took an early lead in set two, 6-5, but Howard went on a 9-0 spurt to take control of game two, 15-6. Buckner, redshirt sophomore middle blocker Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) and reigning MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Rookie of the Week freshman setter Alexys James (Houston) spearhead the run and gave the Bison a commanding 2-0 match lead into the third set.
 
UNF pulled within one midway through the third frame, 11-10, but the Bison established a 6-0 spurt to create separation and put the contest out of reach. Jethroe delivered back-to-back kills to close out the game, 25-18, and match, 3-0.
 
Jethroe registered seven kills and three blocks against the Ospreys while MEAC Preseason Player of the Year senior outside hitter Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) added a match-leading 11 kills and seven digs in the victory. Both Bison joined Buckner on the All-Tournament Team post-match.
 
James filled the stat sheet with 10 digs, four kills and four service aces.
 
Defensively, senior libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) notched 12 digs in the win.
 
Kendall Newbold led North Florida with eight kills in a losing effort.
 
Howard faces North Carolina A&T State at The Burr Friday (Sept. 12) for Greek Night. First-serve at 6 p.m. Two days later (Sept. 14), HU welcomes crosstown rival American for a nonconference showdown. Match time is slated for 1 p.m. Both contests are live on ESPN+.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.