BALTIMORE (October 13, 2026) — Howard University women's volleyball team fell on the road at UMBC, 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 21-25), despite sophomore setter
Alexys James (Houston) notching a triple-double. The Houston native ended with 24 assists (team-high), 12 kills and 11 digs.
With the loss, HU saw its five-match win streak come to an end.
HU held a 9-7 advantage after James' kill, but UMBC (9-5) went on a 4-0 spurt to take the lead midway through game one, 11-7. Howard recaptured the upper hand late, thanks to a service ace from senior middle blocker
Zenai Jethroe (Dallas), 23-22, but the Retrievers ended with a 3-0 run to take set one, 25-23.
Howard bounced back in game two, hitting .302 with 19 kills. Despite solid hitting, UMBC kept the set close.
Both squads were deadlocked, 17-17, until the Bison scored three straight points to create separation, 20-17. From there, HU withstood the Retrievers late charge to win set two and tie the match at one apiece.
UMBC held a 14-13 lead until the Bison went on a 4-0 spurt, highlighted by back-to-back service aces from newcomer
Estrella Vazquez (Baton Rouge, La.), to grab a 17-14 advantage. Reigning MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Rookie of the Week freshman outside hitter
Addison Buckner (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) delivered a kill late in the set, 21-20, but the Retrievers finished on a 5-1 run to take game three, 25-21.
HU jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, but the Retrievers pulled even midway through game two, 13-13. From there, UMBC scored six unanswered points to take a commanding 19-13 advantage and never looked back to win set four, 25-21.
Jethroe led the Bison attack with 15 kills, three total blocks and a service ace. Buckner added 11 kills in the loss.
Senior setter
Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) registered a double-double (21 assists & 11 digs) while junior libero
Camryn Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) produced a match-leading 29 digs.
Isabel Ostvig spearheaded the Retrievers, finishing with 44 assists (match-best), 12 digs, three blocks and a pair of service aces.
HU (6-12) returns to league play Thursday (Oct. 15), facing Norfolk State in Norfolk, Va. First-serve at 1 p.m.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
