WASHINGTON, D.C. – TaKenya Stafford threw down a season-high 25 kills, leading Coppin State's volleyball team to a thrilling 3-2 (21-25, 27-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-13) victory at Howard University on Friday night at Burr Gymnasium. The Eagles improved to 7-9 on the year while the Bison fell to 6-5 overall in the MEAC opener for both teams.
A redshirt senior from Los Angeles, Calif., Stafford led all players with 25 kills on .220 hitting to go with 11 digs, four blocks and an ace. In the process, Stafford became the fifth Eagles player to record 1,000 kills at the school and now has 1,010 kills with the Navy & Gold.
Cherisse Atilano finished a kill shy of a double-double, recording nine kills with 12 digs to go with a pair of aces.
Kayden Cupid and
Ivanna Luna added seven kills apiece while combining to hit .333. Cupid led the Eagles with nine total blocks.
Andrea Cintron (22) and
Azul Pilahg (20) combined for 42 assists while adding seven digs apiece. Cintron also served a pair of aces while helping the Eagles to hit .156.
On the defensive end,
Coco Figueroa led all players with 20 digs and added seven assists and an ace.
Ayanna Pharoah was also credited with three blocks.
Howard had three players with double-digit kills and hit .242 for the match while recording 20 blocks.
The Eagles return to the court on Sunday, September 28 when they host Norfolk State in a 1 pm MEAC clash.
