Conference Opener Leaves Lady Bison 0-1
By Jasmine King, Volleyball, Public Relations Major '13
DOVER, DELAWARE – The crowd was hype as the Howard Lady Bison (1-16) took the Delaware Hornets (2-11) to five sets at Memorial Hall Gym in Dover, Del. The Hornets took over the match in the fifth set as they began to slowly pull away.
Sets scores for the match were 17-25, 18-25, 25-14, 25-16, 11-15. Howard was down the first two sets, but managed to dig to turn the momentum of the game around. Cheers were roaring as the Lady Bison swashed the Hornets point by point in sets three and four. HU put up crucial blocks and out scored the Hornets 54 to 45. Each of the slammers for Howard put down some amazing balls, some of which didn't only hit the floor but the bodies of the Hornets for the kill.
Going in the fifth and final set of the match, the Lady Bison had first dibs on crushing the ball to the Hornets. There were some great rallies. HU came up short, losing the first game to eight before switching sides. After a few mental mistakes, the Lady Bison found themselves in a crunch losing the match 11-15.
Offensively, senior outside hitter, Tosin Elebute had a phenomenal game leading both teams in kills finishing with a game-best 19, in addition to 13 digs for a double-double. Freshman, Stephanie Shultis recorded 15 kills and 14 assists for her first career double-double. Freshman middle blocker Assata Conway finished with seven kills, and had a major solo block for the Lady Bison followed by Senior Gabrielle Martin with five kills. Junior setter Jasmine King dished out 29 assists.
Defensively, Riana Cain dug up 16 balls. As a whole the Lady Bison picked up 48 digs to the Hornets' 42.
For the Hornets, Jes Russell-Croucher finished with 14 kills and 11 digs for a double-double followed by teammate Edarkis Branch with 11 kills and five digs. Christobel Fakaosi finished with 35 assists. Sonja Banicevic had 15 digs.
The Lady Bison fought hard but in the end made four more errors than the Hornets in the last set. They continue to hold their heads up high as they go into their next conference game on Oct. 7 at Hampton.
