ITHACA, N.Y. (September 3, 2026) – Howard University women's volleyball team opened the Cornell Invitational with a loss to Power 4 opponent Syracuse (25-13, 25-18, 25-22) inside Newman Arena.
Senior middle blocker
Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) led the Bison attack with a team-leading nine kills while producing a .538 hitting percentage.
After going back-and-forth in the opening frame, Syracuse created separation with a .360 hitting percentage and took game one, 25-13.
HU trailed early in set two but battled back to pull even midway through the game, 10-10. From there, the Orange delivered numerous kills and grabbed a commanding 2-0 match lead, 25-18.
Down, but not out, Howard refused to go away without a fight. HU held an 8-5 advantage after Jethroe's kill, but Syracuse responded with 4-0 run to take its first lead of the game, 9-8.
HU answered with a quick 3-0 spurt, highlighted by kills from junior
Dayion Johnson (Jasper, Ala.) and rookie
Haarachi Umenwaliri (Chapel Hill, N.C.), 11-9, but the Orange capitalized on several Bison miscues to reclaim the upper hand midway through the game, 14-11.
Howard made one final run in the game three, pulling within one, thanks to Jethroe's kill, 21-20, but Syracuse closed the contest on a 4-2 run to win set three, 25-22, and match, 3-0.
Senior setter
Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) orchestrated the offense with a team-high 13 assists while second-year Bison setter
Alexys James (Houston) had an all-round performance, finishing with 11 digs, six dimes, three kills and a block.
Kiernan Stamey led the Orange (1-2) attack with 10 kills (team-high), eight digs and a pair of assists.
Friday (Sept. 4), HU (0-3) looks to rebound against Cornell. Match time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
