WASHINGTON (October 9, 2026) — Howard University volleyball extended its winning streak to four matches with a 3-1 (25-19, 14-25, 25-18, 25-22) win over North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Friday evening in the annual Breast Cancer Awareness game.
The Bison improved to 5-11 overall and 4-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play while the Eagles fell to 4-13 overall (2-4 MEAC).
Howard opened the match with a strong first set, using consecutive service aces from
Camryn Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) to build an early 3-1 advantage.
Addison Buckner (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) added an ace as the Bison moved ahead, 6-3, while
Estrella Vazquez (Baton Rouge, La.) followed with a service ace to help maintain the lead. A block by
Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) and
Alexys James (Houston) pushed Howard ahead, 13-9, and Jethroe followed with a kill to make it 15-10. N.C. Central cut the deficit to two, 18-16, but Howard responded with timely points down the stretch to secure the 25-19 set victory.
N.C. Central responded in the second set, building an early advantage and stretching its lead to 18-6. Howard worked to regain momentum with Shelton recording a service ace and
Briana Pagan (Dorado, Puerto Rico) delivering consecutive kills during a four-point stretch that brought the score with single digits, 19-11. The Bison continued to battle, but the Eagles maintained their advantage and took the set, 25-14, to even the match at one set apiece.
The Bison regained control in the third set after the teams battled through an 8-8 tie. Jethroe recorded a kill and a block as Howard began to create separation while Shelton and James added service aces. Howard moved ahead, 14-9, and continued to answer N.C. Central's attempts to close the gap. After the Eagles pulled within two, 18-16, the Bison finished strong, scoring seven-of-the-final nine points to claim the set, 25-18, and take a 2-1 match lead.
Howard faced an early challenge in the fourth set, falling behind, 3-0, before beginning its comeback. Kills from Buckner and
Corinne Howard (Derwood, Md.) helped spark the Bison, who scored five consecutive points to move ahead, 6-5. The teams traded points before Howard gained separation behind kills from Buckner, James and
Tiana Stubbs (Fredericksburg, Va.). A Stubbs kill and a James block helped the Bison build a 9-7 lead and the advantage grew, 14-9, following a Shelton service ace and another Stubbs kill.
NCCU continued to pressure Howard and trimmed the deficit, 18-16, but the Bison responded with four consecutive points to extend their lead, 22-17. James and Pagan scored kills during the stretch while an Eagles attack error brought Howard within two points of the match. N.C. Central made a late push, cutting the margin, 24-22, but a service error on the final point secured the 25-22 set win and the match for Howard.
Jethroe led Howard with nine kills and four total blocks, finishing with 12 points. James recorded eight kills, 14 assists, five digs and a service ace, earning McDonald's Player of the Game honors. Buckner also contributed eight kills and two service aces while Pagan added six kills. Stubbs finished with three kills and a .600 hitting percentage.
Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) paced the offense with 21 assists while Shelton led the Bison with 13 digs and five service aces.
Howard finished with 10 service aces, 36 assists and 36 digs.
The Bison will return home Sunday, Oct. 11, to host South Carolina State at 1 p.m., for Senior Day.
For more information on Howard women's volleyball, visit the official Howard Athletics website,
www.hubison.com.
