Volleyball

Howard Head Coach Orlando Larracuente and the women's volleyball team have some unfinished business to attend to in 2008.

After playing top seed Florida A&M in a hard fought decision in the MEAC tournament, the Lady Bison are hungry for another chance.

And that hunger is what Larracuente hopes will drive his team to a second tournament bid.

The Players

The Howard University volleyball program returns seven letterwinners from last year's squad, four who were part of the starting lineup and while welcoming four newcomers to last year's team.

With the loss of starters in Morgan Maxwell and Kimberly Watson, the team that Larracuente puts on the floor will be very different from the 2007 squad.

Expect seniors Janel James and Elyssa Lee to step up and provide leadership, while the sophomore duo of Gazelle d'Artois and Keri Partridge will look to translate the success of their rookie campaigns into their senior year.

Lee leads the returnees with 2.03 kills per game while James ranks second in total digs with 255 (2.55 dpg).

d'Artois was the team's starting setter and although it her first time at that position, she served up 6.98 assists per game. d'Artois will return to her natural spot at the right side this year with newcomer Grace DeMichelis taking over the helm in that area.

DeMichelis, a setter from Overland High School in Aurora, Colo., was a two-time Centennial League first-team selection. A three-sport athlete in high school, DeMichelis should contribute immensely to the Lady Bison.

With Kimberly Watson gone, Partridge will be one of the keys to the Bison defense. The Tennessee native finished with 100 blocks (0.93 bpg), second to Watson's MEAC leading 1.11 bpg. 

Sophomores Nicole Brown and Monique McCoy will also be instrumental in the Bison season on defense. Nia Moore could provide some experience at the right side. 

McCoy leads the squad with 2.61 digs per game while Brown chipped in 157 digs in 68 games.

Freshmen Jiya Brown, Gabrielle Martin and Taylor Johnson provide depth to the Bison squad, especially at outside hitter.

Brown, a 5-8 outside hitter who can play any position, was a two-year starter at Mater Dei High School in Corona, California.

Martin, 5-11 middle/outside, was the team leader in kills and blocks at St. Mary's High School in Stockton, California. She garnered first team all-league honors, was named the league MVP and led St. Mary's to the Northern California Finals. Martin was named the 2007 Player of the Year by The Record, a local newspaper in the Stockton area.

Johnson, a 5-11 middle, led MacArthur High School in blocks and ranked second on the team in kills. She was named Second Team All-District and also received Academic All-District honors.

The Schedule

The 2008 Howard volleyball schedule is going to be a tough one as it is highlighted by non-league opponents LIU, East Carolina, UNC-Charlotte and UMBC.

The schedule begins on Friday, Aug. 29 with the East Carolina Tournament. HU hosts its first home event on Tuesday, Sept. 2 with the matchup against the Retrievers. They also welcome George Mason and American to Burr Gymnasium for competition.

A home match against Hampton marks the beginning of MEAC play for the Bison as they will play seven league opponents in the last 12 contests.

The conference championship will be hosted by Hampton at the Convocation Center. The league's top eight teams will advance to the MEAC championship tournament Nov. 13-16, where an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament will be at stake.