Howard Volleyball lands in Africa

The Howard University Volleyball team landed in Gaberone, Botswana on Monday to begin their international tour that will also lead to Zimbabwe. They were greeted by the Botswana Volleyball Federation and National team upon their arrival.

We landed in Gaberone, Botswana today to start their African adventure that will also take them to Zimbabwe. Many thanks to the Botswana Volleyball Federation and National team for waiting for hours, showing up in force and looking good! #biparoundtheworld #africa #botswana 🇧🇼 pic.twitter.com/q3UXEUUAGX

— Howard Volleyball (@HUBisonVB) May 15, 2018

The team is there to play matches on an international tour and immediately got a practice in. There is no way, however, that these young ladies could be in the motherland without taking part in the host community.  The team quickly found themselves teaching volleyball to local school children.

 

After practice this morning we headed over to Tshiamo Primary School to teach kids how to play volleyball, but I think they taught us what it really means to serve! #HowardvbtoAfrica #wemadeit #day1 #part1 pic.twitter.com/LJDhAHhlIe

— Howard Volleyball (@HUBisonVB) May 16, 2018

Best Day Ever

According to the team, the best part of their first day was watching what appears to be a ritualistic dance. Students from the Tshiamo Primary School performed for the team upon their arrival.

After practice this morning we headed over to Tshiamo Primary School to teach kids how to play volleyball, but I think they taught us what it really means to serve. I think this was everyone’s favorite part of the day!!!#HowardvbtoAfrica #wemadeit #day1 #part4 pic.twitter.com/qixIuQEqEI

— Howard Volleyball (@HUBisonVB) May 16, 2018

The volleyball team had to raise $60,000 in order to make the trip. They become the first ever HBCU athletic team to participate in an international contest. The team will compete 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.”