Hampstead, MD - The 2024 season opened with a loss for the Howard Community College women's volleyball team, as the Dragons were swept by the Carroll Community College Lynx 3-0.

Despite the loss, the Dragons fought hard. After a difficult first set, the Dragons fought back to make sets two and three quite competitive. Despite both sets coming down to the wire, the Dragons would ultimately lose both.

The first set was a disaster for the Dragons, as Carroll jumped out to a 5-0 lead, then scored the final 19 points to win 25-2. After making some much-needed adjustments, the Dragons came out strong in the second set. Howard jumped out to a 3-1 lead, capitalizing on Carroll errors. The Lynx would even the score, leading to a back-and-forth set that came down to the wire. Carroll had a chance to win the set up 24-21, but a pair of attack errors and a service ace tied the game. Carroll finally pulled out the win, 26-24.

The third set was a combination of the last two sets. Carroll jumped out to a 7-0 lead, only for Howard to charge right back and tie the game. After a back-and-forth series, the Lynx once again pulled out to a huge lead, only for the Dragons to yet again fight back into striking range. Carroll would ultimately pull out the win, 25-22.

Abigail Leis (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) and Arianna Layne (Bridgetown, BB/Combermere School) finished tied for the most kills with five each. Ariana Beasley (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) led the team in aces with two, while Mayoli Feliho (Jessup, MD/Hammond) led the Dragons in blocks with two. Cheyenne Ellis (Eldersburg, MD/Century) led the Dragons in assists with 15 and digs with 12.

Next up for Howard is a Saturday, September 7 doubleheader against Beaver County at 4:30 PM and the College of Southern Maryland at 6:00 PM.