WASHINGTON (September 8, 2026) – Howard University women's volleyball team returned to The District Tuesday night where they fell on the road at rival American (AU) in three sets (25-19, 25-20, 25-19).
HU was unable to get into rhythm throughout the evening, producing a .059 hitting percentage.
Rookie outside hitter
Addison Buckner (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) led the Bison attack with a team-best 10 kills.
AU (4-3) led game one from start-to-finish despite multiple runs from the Bison. American finished with a .323 hitting percentage in the opening frame and took a 1-0 match advantage.
Howard jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in set two, capitalizing on several miscues by the Eagles. American responded with a 13-7 run to take its first lead in game two, 13-12. Both squads went back-and-forth throughout the set, including being deadlocked at 20. From there, AU closed out the game with a 5-0 spurt to win, 25-20.
HU refused to go away quietly in set three, taking a 16-14 edge midway through the game. Despite holding a slim lead, AU fought back and closed the set on a 11-3 run to win, 25-19.
Senior setter
Sydnei Jones (Bridgeville, Pa.) posted a team-leading 21 assists.
Defensively, senior middle blocker
Kaitlynn Robinson (Oklahoma City) had a team-high four total blocks (one solo) while junior libero
Camryn Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) added 11 digs in a losing cause.
For American, Deniz Dakak flirted with a double-double (34 assists & nine digs).
On Sept. 11-13, Howard (0-6) goes to Towson, Md., for the Tiger Invitational, hosted by Towson.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
