Volleyball | 11/22/2024 3:17:18 PM

DOVER, Del., Nov. 22, 2024 - The Howard University Bison defeated the Bulldogs of South Carolina State in straight sets in the opening match of the 2024 MEAC Volleyball Tournament. Howard won 25-10, 25-22, 25-13 behind 14 kills from Rya McKinnon, the 2024 MEAC Player of the Year, and 13 kills from Dami Awojobi. 

BOX SCORE

Howard made short work of set one as the Bison quickly got out to a 12-4 lead following four kills from Bria Woodard and an Awojobi ace. The Bulldogs put down a couple of blocks from McKinley Roach, Robyn White and Kiyah Felder, but the Bison's lead was too great to overcome as Howard won the first set 25-10.

Set two was more closely contended as the teams tied the match four times and remained within three points of each other throughout. S.C. State opened on a 3-0 run before Howard answered with a 7-2 run to take the lead. The Bulldogs evened things up at seven all following a kill and an ace from Hailey Harris.

The Bison responded with a 4-1 spurt to take the 11-8 lead before S.C. State tied the score again at 11 all. The teams traded another three points back and forth to sit tied at 14, but a pair of Howard kills put the Bison ahead 16-14. The Bulldogs trailed by two points throughout the remainder of the set as the teams traded serve for serve until the Bison claimed the 25-22 set win. 

Howard came out in set three taking the early 7-3 advantage. The Bulldogs used three kills and two service aces to trail by one, 8-7. A 6-2 Howard run gave the Bison a five-point cushion, 14-9, following the kill from Cimone Woodard. Four consecutive kills for Howard put the score at 19-11 and the Bison pushed onward to win the set 25-13 following a five-point rally to end the match.

Howard returns to the court again in the semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 5:30 PM. The Bison will face the No. 5 Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore, who defeated No. 4 Norfolk State in four sets.