Howard Edged by Hampton, 3-2
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Howard volleyball team powered past Hampton in the first set, 25-14 before the Pirates slipped past the Bison, 3-2 in the match. Howard won the first and third sets and got 21 kills from junior Gazelle d'Artois. The decision was the final home match for the Bison and senior Aisha Ledet was honored in pregame festivities.
The score was knotted early in the first set at 8-8 before Nicole Brown's service ace spurred an 11-3 Bison run over the next few minutes. The Lady Bison led 19-11 and later took a double-digit lead at 24-14 on a kill by Jasmine King. Howard wrapped up the 25-14 set one win on an attack error by Pirate Brittany Wynne.
The Bison jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead in the second set but Hampton slowly climbed back in the contest and trailed by one at 15-14. A Howard timeout did not slow the Pirate momentum and Hampton took a three-point lead on kills from Lina Cordoba and Ornela Cadavid. Bison miscues proved costly at the end and a service error gave Hampton the 25-23 victory.
Set three went to Howard, 25-20 but Hampton answered with a 25-13 set four win. The fifth and deciding set featured four tie scores and two lead changes, and extra points would decide the final outcome.
The Lady Bison coasted and took a 12-8 advantage in the final set, forcing a Pirate timeout but that didn't stop the onslaught. Howard seemed poised for victory after leading 14-10, but Hampton rallied with two consecutive points and paired with Bison miscues, the Pirates stormed back to a 14-14 tie.
The two squads traded attack errors and the score was knotted again, this time at 15-15. Consecutive kills by Aaryn Harrison and Brittany Wynne sealed the set and match win for Hampton (9-17, 4-5 MEAC).
Howard (8-25, 4-5 MEAC) travels to Maryland Eastern Shore for its regular season finale on Sunday. First serve against the Lady Hawks is slated for 2 pm.
