Howard University women’s volleyball team clinched the 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Regular Season Title with a five-set (25-19, 21-25, 25-21, 18-25, 15-7) victory at Coppin State (CSU).
HU remains unbeaten during league play (13-0) while extending its win streak to 14.
In the thrilling victory, four Bison recorded double-doubles on the afternoon: Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.); Aziah Buckner (Memphis, Tenn.); Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) and Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.).
CSU held a two-point advantage midway through game one, 15-13, until the Bison recorded eight unanswered points to take a 21-15 lead late. From there, HU took control to grab set one, 25-19.
Both squads went back-and-forth early in game two, but Coppin State seized the momentum with multiple mini runs to tie the contest at one apiece.
Howard opened set three with a 4-0 spurt and never looked back, holding on to a 25-21 victory in game three; thus, taking a 2-1 match lead into the fourth frame.
Coppin State refused to go away in game four, registering a .393 hitting percentage while forcing a winner-take-all fifth set.
In game five, both teams were tied, 2-2, until a quick 3-0 run from HU created separation. CSU fought back but were unable to overcome several hitting errors; thus, securing the Bison’s regular season crown over Coppin State.
Defensively, junior libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.) had 18 digs while graduate middle blocker Amanda Ifeanyichukwu (The Woodlands, Texas) added six total blocks (one solo) in the win.
For CSU (14-15, 10-3 MEAC), TaKenya Stafford (18 digs & 14 kills) and Kahea Carvalho (24 assists & 10 digs) each finished with a double-double in the loss.
Howard closes out the regular season Friday (Nov. 15) against Norfolk State. Match time is scheduled for 6 p.m., inside Burr Gymnasium.
Source: Bison Athletics/www.HUBison.com
