WASHINGTON (August 29, 2024) – The Howard University women’s volleyball team has been selected the preseason MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) favorite to win the title and with good reason.
SEASON OUTLOOK
The Bison boast perhaps the most dominant player in the history of the conference in Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.). The junior outside hitter is the two-time reigning MEAC Player of the Year and as no surprise, the preseason pick to threepeat in that category. She is easily the most decorated player in school history, having been named to numerous postseason honors.
As dominant as McKinnon has been, the Bison also have in senior middle blocker Cimone Woodard (Missouri City, Texas) another premier player. A year ago, she was selected to the All-MEAC First Team and a preseason selection this season.
And if that is not enough, there is junior libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.), a second team all-conference selection.
Over the past 11 years, the program has been a dominant force in the MEAC. Under Head Coach Shaun Kupferberg, Howard has won six titles and played in the postseason seven times.
In 2023, the Bison posted a 17-15 record and advanced to the tournament final before losing to Coppin State. For some, that would appear to be a good season. But good is not the standard that Kupferberg has set on The Hilltop.
“Last season, we had a lot of talent, but did not finish many games the way we wished,” said Coach Kup as he is sometimes called. “That carried over through the championship match and we spent most of the offseason getting mentally and physically tougher to push through those barriers.”
Kupferberg is the winningest coach in school history and has an impressive 394 victories in his career, just six shy of the 400-win plateau.
In addition to the Big 3, the Bison have loads of talent. Senior libero Taylor Johnson (South Fulton, Ga.), senior outside hitter Bria Woodard (sister of Cimone), senior outside hitter Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.) and senior middle blocker Maya Gerlach (Philadelphia) are proven players at their positions and have experienced success. The Bison return five starters and 13 lettermen.
“Our leaders have been setting the pace in and out of the gym throughout 2024, beginning in January,” Kupferberg continued. “Recently, it has been very evident through the mental and physical effort put forth that they are no longer hoping for things to happen but making them happen. I have been impressed with this teams’ grit and determination the past few weeks and looking forward to seeing the results of those efforts.”
As for any newcomers of impact, Kupferberg singles out incoming freshman setter Bailey Hollis (Windermere, Fla.).
“She can play six rotations at a high level,” Kupferberg stated. “She brings a nice change of pace as a tall setter, who can create some unique matchups.”
He added that the team will also be stronger with graduate outside hitter Aziah Buckner (Memphis, Tenn.), who has not played after two years out with an injury.
AFRICA
As a means of developing camaraderie, the team took a trip to Botswana and Zimbabwe this past summer, which proved to be highly beneficial.
“The trip to Africa allowed us to spend true quality time together,” Kupferberg expressed. “Time without classes or other responsibilities allowed us to develop new connections that only comes with shared experiences. The adventure of those 12 days will always be a special bond that only those that were present can understand.”
SCHEDULE
Over the past few years, Howard has played one of the more challenging schedules among HBCUs, competing against with the likes of national powers Penn State and Stanford. In an effort to prepare for the season and the conference schedules, he has made some adjustments to the schedule.
“We were focused on making a tough but not brutal schedule in 2024. We play a lot of high-level programs that are consistent NCAA tournament participants, that will prepare us for a tough MEAC schedule and conference tournament. It was also a great bonus that we are able to get our Texas students back home with our trip to Houston.”
Cimone and Bria (Missouri City), Leah Reeves (Allen) and Amanda Ifeanyichukwu (The Woodlands) all hail from the state of Texas.
ACADEMICS
Year in and year out, there has been a constant: Howard has been a leader in the number of student-athletes named to the MEAC All-Academic team. In 2023, the Bison led the way with 11, including McKinnon, Cimone and Bria and Simpson.
“We are very proud of our alums and the academic culture they have created around our program,” Kupferberg proudly said. “Of course, it is always great to get academic awards and continue posting above a 3.5 team GPA, but I am prouder of what these women have done post-grad. They are significant leaders in each of their professions and they are making waves in medicine, law, education and within the business community.”
To recruit outstanding student-athletes year in and year out, it is often the alums who serves as models for potential recruits. Howard has an impressive list of former players who are making an impact:
Joi Walls – Dentist; Khaila Donaldson – Associate at JP Morgan; Adrienne Lofton – VP of Global Marketing at Google; Dr. Carla Ellis – Pathology at Northwestern University; and Destinee Harrison – Producer at Spotify.
“Howard University is a destination that expects excellence of those who walk through campus,” Kupferberg stated. “We can fill books with impressive accomplishments of our volleyball alums, but we are more focused on writing the next chapter and being a part of the next generation of women changing the world.”
THE HOWARD EFFECT
There is a saying that ‘success breeds success.’ Such could be case on how the MEAC has become more competitive during Howard’s successful run. Coppin State had its best season, winning the title for the first time with their win over Howard in the finals. It is something he gladly welcomes.
“I would like to think that we have had a part in building the MEAC into a strong volleyball conference,” said Kupferberg. “Our teams throughout the league have improved every year and multiple HBCUs are competing at a national level in ways that few would have thought possible a decade ago.”
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Howard opens the season at home against George Mason University Friday (August 30) at 6 p.m., the annual local tournament, featuring games at George Washington (August 31 on ESPN+) and Georgetown (September 1). The Bison open 2024 MEAC conference play at South Carolina State (September 27).
Source: Howard Athletics/www.HUBison.com
