WASHINGTON D.C. — The Delaware State volleyball team lost to Howard 3-1 (23-25, 20-25, 25-23, 19-25) on Thursday at Burr Gymnasium.
The loss dropped Delaware State's record to 11-6 overall and 2-1 in MEAC play.
Emma Patmon led the Delaware State attack with 14 kills and a .379 hitting percentage, while Aaliyah Mitchell added 12 kills. Maria Fernanda Cisneros Salas and Courtney Nix each reached double figures defensively with 10 digs apiece. Up front, Duura Kpea recorded seven blocks and Jalia Dublin added six. Paige Ahakuelo ran the offense with a team-high 21 assists and also led the team with two aces.
The first set was tightly contested, with six lead changes and 12 ties before Howard pulled away late for a 25-23 win. Neither team led by more than four points at any point in the set.
Delaware State struggled to find its footing in the second set, falling behind early and never taking the lead in a 25-20 loss that put the Hornets in a 2-0 hole.
The Hornets answered in the third set, rallying from a 14-7 deficit behind three aces to take the lead for good at 22-21 and close it out 25-23, cutting Howard's advantage to 2-1.
Delaware State could not carry that momentum into the fourth set. The score was tied nine times before Howard took the lead for good at 16-15, eventually pulling away to win 25-19 and close out the match.
