Volleyball | 11/23/2024 11:06:28 PM

DOVER, Del., November 23, 2024 - The top-seeded Howard University Bison defeated the No. 5 Hawks from Maryland Eastern Shore in four exciting sets to advance to the MEAC Championship match for the second consecutive year. 

MEAC Player of the Year, Rya McKinnon led the Bison attack with 12 kills while teammates Amanda Ifeanyichukwu and Bria Woodard both added nine. Ifeanyichukwu tallied six blocks at the net for HU while Cimone Woodard collected four and B. Woodard added three.

Dami Awojobi paced the back line with 16 digs with Claire Simpson tallying 13 and Leah Reeves, MEAC Setter of the Year, adding 12 to pair with her 37 assists. 

Ranyla Griggs led Maryland Eastern Shore's attack with 12 kills while Lilliana Montes contributed nine. Setter Anisa Dorlouis registered 23 assists, nine digs and three service aces for the Hawks. 

Howard took an 8-5 lead to start the match before Maryland Eastern Shore came back to take a one-point lead, 9-8. The score knotted at nine all and incited a back-and-forth rally that went through the 22nd point for both teams. Howard put down three consecutive points at the end of the set to take the first game 25-22.

The Bison opened set two on a 6-1 run before extending their lead to 14-6. The Hawks pulled within four points,16-12, but Howard scored four in a row taking a 20-12 lead. Both teams traded a string of three points before the Bison closed the set out to win 25-18.

UMES opened set three against Howard with an 8-2 run before quickly finding themselves ahead 15-5. The Hawks held on throughout the remainder of the set to win by seven points, 25-18.

The fourth set was reminiscent of the third as the Hawks opened up a 6-3 lead to begin the set. Howard made a huge come back taking a 20-16 lead. UMES registered two more points the remainder of the set as Howard defeated UMES 25-18.

Howard will face No. 3 seed Delaware State in the Championship Match on Sunday, Nov. 24.