Howard Bison Predicted to Win MEAC Northern Division Crown

HOWARD UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM 2016
Courtesy: Howard University Athletic Media Relations

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Coming off winning the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship, the Howard University volleyball team was predicted to take the Northern Division title in a vote of the conference's head volleyball coaches and sports information directors, as announced on Friday. Bethune-Cookman was selected to win the Southern Division.

Additionally, junior outside hitter Khaila Donaldson was named the league's Preseason Player of the Year. Donaldson is joined on the 2016 MEAC Preseason Team by senior libero Morgan Marlbrough.

Howard topped the preseason poll with 163 total points and 19 first-place votes. The Bison are looking to claim their third consecutive Northern Division crown after recording an 18-14 overall record last season, including going 11-1 in MEAC play. Under the guidance of head coach Shaun Kupferberg, Howard took home the 2015 MEAC Championship and made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1994.

Donaldson had a breakout sophomore campaign in 2015, leading the team with 405 kills (3.49 kills/set) while coming in second in service aces (34) and digs (322). She received numerous honors for her outstanding season, including MEAC All-Tournament honors and being named the tournament's most outstanding player.

Marlbrough topped the squad with a career-high 493 digs for a team-best 4.25 digs per set last season. She finished her junior year with 27 matches with at least 10 digs, including 16 straight outings. She also ranked third on the team with 109 assists and tallied 25 aces.

The Bison open up the regular season on the road in the DC Volleyball Challenge, facing George Mason (8/26), Georgetown (8/27) and American (8/27) during the two-day event in Washington, D.C. and Fairfax, Va.

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS