WASHINGTON, D.C. – Howard University volleyball closed out its regular-season with a 3-1 victory over Norfolk State Friday night at Burr Gymnasium. Celebrating 90s Night, the Bison secured the win by taking three of four sets, 25-20, 26-28, 25-20 and 25-23.
Howard opened the first set with four consecutive points to establish an early lead. Norfolk State answered with three straight points, but the Bison maintained control. With the score at 8-6, Howard began to pull away, scoring six unanswered points to extend its advantage to 16-8.
Addison Buckner (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) played a major role in the run, recording three consecutive service aces as Howard built its lead. The Spartans attempted to rally late, but the Bison held on to take the opening set, 25-20.
Norfolk State responded in the second set, building an 8-3 advantage. Howard chipped away at the deficit before putting together an unanswered 6-0 run to even the score at 14-14. The teams traded points from there, with the Bison eventually taking a 20-16 lead. The Spartans fought back to tie the set at 23-23, setting up a dramatic finish. Howard reached set point three times, but Norfolk State answered each time before closing out the set, 28-26, to even the match.
The Bison regained the lead in the third set with a 25-20 victory. After Norfolk State moved ahead 10-6, Howard worked its way back into contention. The teams continued trading points before reaching a 16-16 tie. Howard then took control with four consecutive points, moving ahead 20-16. The Bison maintained the advantage down the stretch, with
Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) delivering the set-clinching kill to put Howard ahead 2-1.
Howard carried that momentum into the fourth set, overcoming an early deficit before the teams reached a 14-14 tie. The Bison followed with a strong stretch of play, scoring five of the next six points to take a 19-15 advantage. Norfolk State refused to go quietly, battling back to tie the set at 23-23. Howard answered with back-to-back points to close out the match, as Jethroe put the Bison at match point before Buckner delivered the final kill for the 25-23 win.
Standout setter
Alexys James (Houston) highlighted the night with her second triple-double of the season, finishing with 12 kills, 26 assists and 10 digs. Buckner led the Bison with 19 kills and 14 digs, recording her sixth double-double of the season. She also notched a new career-high five service aces and finished with a season-best 24.5 points.
Four Bison reached double-digit kills, including Jethroe with 14 and
Dayion Johnson (Jasper, Alabama) with 11.
Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pennsylvania) tied her season high with 11 digs while leading the team with 30 assists. Howard finished with 64 kills, 63 assists and 56 digs, compared to Norfolk State's 43 kills, 36 assists and 35 digs.
Howard enters the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 19-21. The Bison will look to carry their regular-season momentum into the conference championship.
For more information on volleyball ,visit the official Howard Athletics website
www.hubison.com.
