WASHINGTON (October 25, 2026) — Howard University volleyball (7-14, 6-3 MEAC) dropped a five-set match to Morgan State (7-14, 6-3 MEAC), 3-2, Sunday afternoon at Burr Gymnasium (20-25, 22-25, 26-24, 31-29, 6-15).
Morgan State (MSU) took the first set, 25-20, after turning an early 5-3 Howard advantage into an 8-6 lead. The Bison continued to battle with
Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) contributing kills and
Addison Buckner (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) adding points in the attack. Howard pulled within striking distance late, but MSU maintained its advantage to close out the opener.
The Bears claimed the second set, 25-22, to take a 2-0 match lead. Howard looked to rally late and
Lauryn Wiley (Pearland, Texas) sparked a surge from the service line. With Morgan State ahead, 22-16, the Texas native delivered three consecutive service aces to bring the Bison within one, 22-21. Buckner followed with kills to keep Howard in contention, but MSU secured the final points to take the set.
Facing a two-set deficit, Howard responded with a 26-24 win in the third. The Bison opened the frame with three straight points and traded runs with Morgan State through a tightly contested set. Neither team could create much separation and the score was tied late, 24-24. Jethroe delivered a kill to put Howard ahead before serving an ace to seal the set, bringing the Bison back into the match.
The fourth set delivered the afternoon's most dramatic stretch. Howard started strong, building a 3-0 lead, and later used Wiley's serving to extend its advantage. She recorded two service aces during a stretch that helped the Bison move ahead, 14-7. Morgan State fought back; however, with Bailey Swinton delivering three consecutive service aces to help the Bears erase the deficit and tie the set, 19-19.
From there, the teams traded points in a tense finish. Howard and Morgan State exchanged the lead and battled through multiple ties with neither side able to pull away. At 29-29, Buckner recorded a kill to give the Bison a 30-29 advantage. Howard then blocked a MSU attack with Jethroe and
Alexys James (Houston) combining on the play to clinch the set, 31-29, and even the match at two sets apiece.
With the match on the line, Morgan State took control in the fifth set. Howard scored the opening point, but the Bears responded with a run to build a 4-1 lead. Buckner and
Briana Pagan (Dorado, Puerto Rico) helped the Bison add points while a block by
Corinne Howard (Derwood, Md.) and
Haarachi Umenwaliri (Chapel Hill, N.C.) gave Howard its sixth point. Morgan State closed the match with a 15-6 victory in the deciding set.
Buckner led Howard with 24 kills and 12 digs. Jethroe added 15 kills while James recorded nine kills, 36 assists and 10 digs.
Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) contributed 31 assists and
Camryn Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) led the defense with 31 digs.
Wiley finished with seven service aces while Umenwaliri recorded four blocks.
Easnadh Nobel To'olo (Orono, Maine) added six kills and four digs and Pagan contributed nine kills.
As a team, Howard totaled 71 kills, 71 assists and 74 digs. The Bison also recorded 10 service aces and seven blocks in the five-set match.
Howard continues MEAC play Thursday, Oct. 29, traveling to face Delaware State. Match time at 6 p.m.
For more information on Howard volleyball visit the official Howard Athletics website
www.hubison.com.
