Box Score

SEARCY, Ark. – The Harding volleyball captured its second straight Gulf South Conference match Tuesday night against Arkansas-Monticello, 3-2 at the Rhodes Field House. The win moves the Lady Bisons to 14-6 overall and 3-1 in the GSC.

The Lady Bisons led the first set until halfway through when UAM mounted a comeback taking an 18-16 lead. Freshman outside hitter Savannah Smith had three straight kills to recapture the led for the Lady Bisons. The Lady Bisons took the first set 25-20 when Manuela Nesheva and Alex Smith blocked an attack by UAM junior middle blocker Cayla Knapp.

UAM jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead in the second set. The Lady Bisons battled back in the middle of the set taking nine straight points to go up 16-11. UAM tied up the set 18 all off of six straight points. The teams exchanged points until the Blossoms took set three 27-25, off of kills by Cayla Knapp and Jalynn Thornton.

In the third set, each team exchanged four point runs until the middle of the set when Harding went on a 10-3 run to capture the third set, 25-14. Manuela Nesheva had three straight aces in the set for Harding.

UAM led the fourth set until Harding tied up the set 9 all. The Lady Bisons kept the set close until the end of set three. The Blossoms went on a 4-1 run to close on the fourth set 25-22.

In the last set, Harding fell behind early but battled back on a 6-1 run to take the fifth set, 15-10.

Harding had four players in double figure kills and five players in double figure digs. Junior outside hitter Manuela Nesheva hit for her fifth straight double-double with 20 kills and 11 digs. Freshman middle blocker Alex Smith had a career high in kills with 10 and added 4 big blocks for the Lady Bisons. Senior setter Leah Tepe had 51 assists on the night. It was the fourth time this season Tepe has had over 50 assists. On the defensive side, sophomore Emily Tate had 25 digs for the Lady Bisons.

The Lady Bisons continue Gulf South Conference action Thursday hosting Henderson State in the Rhodes Field House at 7 p.m.