Howard University women’s volleyball team is making history by becoming the first HBCU program to take an international tour within the sport. The 11-time MEAC champions will be competing against opponents from Botswana and Zimbabwe.
“This trip to Africa is a chance for our team to grow both on and off the court. While the matches will give us the opportunity to play against some of the best teams on the continent, the real opportunity will come from our outreach events,” head coach Shaun Kupferberg said. “The cultural immersion and education will prepare our student-athletes for a more global workplace in the coming years. Their worldview will be changed forever by this experience and will give them a better sense of their place in the world.”
In addition to the competition, Howards team will also be involved with community service, hosting youth volleyball skills clinics in rural areas of African communities and will have an opportunity to work within their current field of study.
The team ran a fundraiser online to cover the cost of the trip. Money donated will go toward travel expenses, which include transportation, meals, and lodging for the whole team.
They are set to travel May 13-25.
