UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Coach Shaun Kupferberg and Howard went down swinging, as the Bison lost in four sets to top-seeded Penn State 3-1 inside Rec Hall on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Volleyball Championship.

Despite the loss, Howard (16-16) ended the season on a historic note by taking a set from the Nittany Lions. PSU, seven-time NCAA national champion, had not loss an opening round set in 28 years until the Bison fought their way and tied the match after frame two.
 
In their final match, senior Jessica Young had a team-high 11 kills while Khaila Donaldson, two-time MEAC Player of the Year, added eight digs, seven kills, and two service aces.
 
Howard was unable find its rhythm after set one, hitting .000, while the Nittany Lions eclipsed a .409 mark. PSU won the first frame, 25-10.
 
The Bison rebounded in a big way, manufacturing 16 kills in set two, thus pulling off a historic moment while tying the match at intermission.
 
In sets three and four, the Bison could not duplicate their success as they were held to .000. As a result, Penn State capitalized and won the final two sets to end Howard's season.
 
Junior Tamia Dockery recorded 39 assists and eight digs, while sophomore Kira Porter provided nine kills. Defensively, senior Carlise Cardoza, also playing in her final match, registered a team-best 10 digs in a losing effort.
 
For Penn State (30-1), it extended its winning streak to 20. Haleigh Washington produced a match-high 13 kills and five blocks (one solo). Ali Frantti added 12 kills and six digs, while Tori Gorrell chipped in 11 kills and three blocks in the victory.