WASHINGTON (September 24, 2026) — Howard University women's volleyball opened its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) schedule Thursday night, falling to Coppin State (CSU), 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-20), at Burr Gymnasium.
The Eagles claimed the match, moving to a 9-5 (1-0 MEAC) record while the Bison fell to 1-11 overall (0-1 in MEAC play).
Howard came out with early energy in the opening set, trading points with Coppin State before taking a 3-2 lead. The Bison remained within striking distance, 7-4, before the Eagles began to create separation. Howard answered with points from
Corinne Howard (Derwood, Md.),
Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) and
Gabby Allen (Laurel, Md.), cutting the deficit to two, 11-9.
A 4-3 stretch gave the Eagles a 15-12 lead. HU continued to battle with Howard, Jethroe and
Addison Buckner (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) contributing to the Bison attack. Howard later cut the deficit, 22-15, but CSU closed the set, 25-16.
Coppin State carried its momentum into the second set, building a 6-3 advantage before Howard answered with a pair of points. The Eagles maintained the lead while the Bison produced several offensive plays to keep pace. Buckner, Jethroe and Howard each contributed kills while
Alexys James (Houston) added a pair of service aces during the set.
Howard continued to fight through the middle portion of the set with
Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) entering and contributing an assist and a kill. The Eagles; however, maintained control and extended their lead, 19-12. Howard answered with kills from Jethroe, Buckner and others, but Coppin State closed out the set, 25-17, to take a 2-0 match advantage.
The third set provided HU's strongest push of the night. After Coppin State took an early 4-3 lead, the Bison scored six consecutive points to surge ahead, 10-5.
Camryn Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) sparked the run with a kill and later added a service ace while Howard and Jethroe helped the Bison maintain their advantage.
CSU gradually chipped away at the deficit before pulling even, 16-16. The Eagles then scored four straight points to take an 18-16 lead. HU responded with a point from Howard before Coppin State moved ahead, 19-17.
The Bison refused to go quietly with Howard and Buckner providing kills to keep HU within one at 20-19. Coppin State answered with three consecutive points to reach match point and although Buckner delivered another kill, 24-20, the Eagles finished the set, 25-20, to complete the sweep.
Jethroe led the Bison, offensively, with nine kills while hitting .467. Howard added seven kills while Buckner finished with six kills.
James directed the Howard offense with 20 assists and added two kills and two service aces.
Shelton led the defensive effort with 11 digs while Buckner added five digs.
At the net, Howard and
Haarachi Umenwaliri (Chapel Hill, N.C.) each recorded two blocks. Umenwaliri also added a kill and two blocks while
Easnadh Nobel To'olo (Orono, Maine) recorded one block.
Howard continues MEAC play Sunday, Sept. 27, when they travel to Baltimore for a 1 p.m., matchup against Morgan State.
For more information on Howard women's volleyball visit the official Howard Athletics website
www.hubison.com.
