NORFOLK, Va. (August 18, 2026) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) uncovered its 2026 women's volleyball preseason honors where Howard University saw three Bison recognized. The announcement came Tuesday afternoon.
 
Senior middle blockers Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) and Kaitlynn Robinson (Oklahoma City) and sophomore Alexys James (Houston) made the Preseason All-MEAC Team.
 
A year ago, Jethroe made the All-MEAC First Team after leading the league in hitting percentage (.347) and blocks per set (1.02).
 
Robinson finished second in the conference with 0.98 blocks per set, trailing only Jethroe.
 
Last season, James earned All-MEAC Second Team after being named the league's Rookie of the Week three times.
 
Coppin State's Coco Figueroa (MEAC Preseason Player of the Year), Cherisse Atilano and Kayden Cupid and Norfolk State's Gabrielle Gilbert also made the Preseason All-MEAC Team.
 
Additionally, the conference unveiled its predicted order of finish where the Bison were projected to finish second. Howard tallied 85 points with two first-place votes. A year ago, HU placed second in the standings and reached the MEAC Title match.
 
Reigning MEAC Champion Coppin State was picked to repeat after scoring 92 points, including seven first-place votes.
 
All awards were voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
On Aug. 28, HU opens its 2026 campaign versus Power 4 opponent Maryland. First-serve is slated for 6 p.m., at Burr Gymnasium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the MEAC website at www.MEACSports.com.