DURHAM, N.C. — Howard University volleyball (9-15, 8-4 MEAC) earned a hard-fought 3-2 road victory over N.C. Central (7-17, 5-7 MEAC) Friday night at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
N.C. Central opened the match with a 3-1 advantage, but Howard answered with a 6-0 run to take a 7-3 lead. The Bison continued to build their advantage, reaching a 14-7 cushion. The Eagles fought back with an 8-0 run to pull within one at 18-17 before making another push late in the set. N.C. Central eventually took control and closed out the frame, 25-22.
Howard responded in the second set. After the teams exchanged the opening points, the Bison used a three-point run, including consecutive service aces from
Estrella Vazquez (Baton Rouge, La.), to take a 4-1 lead. Howard extended its advantage to 14-8 before N.C. Central put together a 6-0 run to take a 14-16 lead. The Bison regained the advantage and moved ahead 21-17. Although the Eagles made a late push, Howard held on for a 25-22 win to even the match at one set apiece.
Howard surged early in the third, turning a 3-3 tie into a 9-3 lead with six consecutive points. N.C. Central gradually worked its way back into the frame and eventually took a 17-13 advantage. The Bison continued to battle, eventually drawing even at 21-21. Neither team could create separation down the stretch. N.C. Central reached set point at 24-23, but Howard answered to force extra points. After the teams traded points to reach 27-27, the Bison scored the final two points to claim the set, 29-27, and take a 2-1 match lead.
N.C. Central responded in the fourth set, taking an early 5-3 lead. Howard stayed close, tying the score at 6-6 and again at 9-9. The Eagles then created separation with a scoring stretch that pushed their lead to 15-12 and eventually extended it to 18-14. Howard continued to compete, but N.C. Central maintained its advantage and won the set, 25-19, forcing a fifth and deciding frame.
The Bison faced an early deficit in the final set, falling behind 5-1. Howard began its comeback with a service error from the Eagles, then followed with a pair of kills from
Briana Pagan (Dorado, Puerto Rico) to pull within one at 5-4. The teams eventually reached a 9-9 tie. Howard took the lead and moved ahead 12-10, with
Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) contributing a service ace during the stretch. After N.C. Central tied the score at 12-12, the Bison secured the final three points to close out the set, 15-13, and complete the five-set victory.
Addison Buckner (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) and Pagan led Howard with 15 kills apiece.
Zenai Jethroe (Dallas, Texas) added nine kills and a team-high six blocks, while
Haarachi Umenwaliri (Chapel Hill, N.C.) contributed five kills and five blocks. Jones and
Alexys James (Houston, Texas) each finished with 25 assists.
Camryn Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) led the Bison with 20 digs, followed by Buckner with 15 and James with 12. Vazquez paced Howard with three service aces.
Howard returns to action Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. when they travel to face South Carolina State.
For more information on Howard volleyball, visit the official Howard Athletics website
www.hubison.com.
