WASHINGTON (September 7, 2026) – Howard University women's volleyball team returns to The District Tuesday night (Sept. 8), traveling to nearby American (AU) for a nonconference showdown. Match time is set for 6 p.m., live on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Bison Nation can follow all the action via
live stats and/or
ESPN+.
MATCHUP PREVIEW
Tuesday's clash will be the 43
rd meeting between both sides with American holding a 36-6 advantage; however, the Bison have had the upper hand in recent years. Last season, HU swept the Eagles inside Burr Gymnasium and have won three-of-last-five matchups.
Senior middle blocker
Zenai Jethroe (Dallas) logged 10 kills while producing a .330 hitting percentage against American a year ago.
HOWARD
Howard is seeking its first win of the season (0-5).
After five contests, Jethroe leads the team in total blocks while freshman standout
Addison Buckner (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) has 56 total kills to lead the Bison attack.
In the past two years, HU has reached the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Championship match but came up short against rival Coppin State.
In his 15
th season at the helm, Bison head coach
Shaun Kupferberg took a program that was in disarray when he orchestrated one of the most dramatic turnarounds in school history, struggling through a 1-23 record his first season and posted a 21-11 mark the following year.
AMERICAN
On Sept. 4-5, AU competed in the Best Western Invitational, hosted by Bowling Green, going 1-2 in the tournament. They picked up a win against Northern Kentucky in four sets but fell to both Bowling Green and Arkansas State in four.
Entering the season, American was picked to win the Patriot League after receiving eight first-place votes in the preseason poll.
Setter Deniz Dakak (Patriot League Preseason Player & Setter of the Year) and Libero Bella Marrero (Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year) were selected to the Patriot League Preseason Team, alongside teammates outside hitter Sophie Dufour and middle blockers Elise Sterling and Prinzez Zeck.
Jenny Glenn enters her first season at the helm.
LAST TIMEOUT
On Sept. 3-5, HU went 0-3 at the Cornell Invitational, falling to Syracuse, UAlbany and host Big Red.
Buckner led the charge with 34 total kills across the three-day tourney.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
On Sept. 11-13, Howard goes to Towson, Md., for the Tiger Invitational, hosted by Towson.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
