WASHINGTON (October 8, 2026) – Howard University women's volleyball continues its 2026 campaign with a four-match stretch, beginning Friday (Oct. 9), as the Bison host North Carolina Central University at Burr Gymnasium. First serve is set for 6 p.m., as HU celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness.
 
The Bison will remain home Sunday (Oct. 11), welcoming South Carolina State University for Senior Day at 1 p.m.
 
Howard, then, hits the road Tuesday (Oct. 13), traveling to Baltimore to face UMBC at 5 p.m. The four-match stretch concludes Thursday (Oct. 15) when the Bison battle Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va., at 6 p.m.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
Bison Nation can follow the action throughout the week through live stats and the MEAC Network. Tuesday's matchup at UMBC will also be available through America East TV and live stats.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
Howard enters the four-match stretch riding a three-match winning streak after surviving a five-set battle at Maryland Eastern Shore, 3-2 (25-14, 25-23, 19-25, 19-25, 15-5), Sunday (Oct. 4) in Princess Anne, Md.
 
Freshman outside hitter Addison Buckner (Menomonee Falls, Wisc.) led all players with 19 kills and added 14 digs for her second-career double-double.
 
MATCHUP PREVIEW
 
HOWARD
 
Howard enters the stretch with a 4-11 overall record and a 3-1 mark in MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) play. The Bison have won three straight matches and have received contributions across the lineup during their recent run.
 
Buckner leads Howard with 150 kills while senior middle blocker Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) has recorded a team-best 49 blocks while hitting .316 on the season.
 
Senior setter Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) leads the Bison with 242 assists while sophomore setter Alexys James (Houston) has added 238 assists and a team-high 23 service aces.
 
Junior libero Camryn Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) anchors the back row with 209 digs.
 
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
 
North Carolina Central (NCCU) enters Friday's matchup at 4-11 overall and 2-2 in MEAC play. The Eagles have won two-of-their-last-three conference matches, including a five-set victory over Maryland Eastern Shore before falling to Coppin State in four sets.
 
Talia Emmen leads NCCU with 168 kills while Shalyn Bell has recorded 150 kills and 119 digs.
 
Breylan Fairley has directed the Eagles' offense with 400 assists while Bell has added 17 service aces.
 
Howard holds a 15-0 advantage in the series history, dating back to 2013, including a 3-0 victory over the Eagles in the most recent meeting (Nov. 7, 2025).
 
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
 
South Carolina State enters Sunday's matchup with a 4-15 overall record and a 0-4 mark in MEAC play.
 
Kenna Harris leads the Bulldogs with 158 kills, followed by Amani Hawkins (140) and Ki'ra Wright (101).
 
Macey McCoy orchestrates the offense with a team-leading 268 assists.
 
Defensively, Wright has a team-high 207 digs while Taelyn Graham has posted a team-best 39 total blocks (14 solos).
 
Howard has won 15 straight matches against South Carolina State since Nov. 2015. The Bison defeated the Bulldogs, 3-1, in their most recent meeting (Nov. 9, 2025) in D.C.
 
UMBC
 
UMBC enters Tuesday's matchup with a 7-5 overall record. The Retrievers are hitting .216 as a team and average 12.3 kills and 2.3 blocks per set.
 
Hannah Dobbs leads UMBC with 174 kills while Claudia Llamas has added 136 kills.
 
Isabel Ostvig leads the Retrievers with 446 assists, along with 43 blocks.
 
Hannah Howard anchors the defense with 215 digs while Alissa Grant has posted a team-high 50 blocks.

Howard and UMBC last met on Oct. 8, 2025, with the Retrievers earning a 3-1 victory in D.C. The Bison hold a 4-8 record in the all-time series.
 
NORFOLK STATE
 
Norfolk State enters Thursday's matchup with a 5-12 overall record and a 1-3 mark in MEAC play.
 
Gabrielle Gilbert leads the Spartans with 233 kills while Kyleigh Moore has recorded 146 kills.
 
Jasmine Mataira has paced the offense with 306 assists while Jazeli Vandenburgh leads Norfolk State with 229 digs and 34 service aces.
 
Ava Berry has recorded a team-high 59 blocks.
 
Howard has won the last 25 meetings between the programs, dating back to Nov. 2013. The Bison swept the Spartans, 3-0, in their most recent matchup (Nov. 20, 2025) in Norfolk, Va.
 
UP NEXT
 
Following the four-match stretch, Howard returns to action Friday, Oct. 23, traveling to Baltimore to face Coppin State. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.