Box Score Box Score
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Harding volleyball team lost the first two sets but battled back to take the next three to snatch a victory away from West Alabama on Friday night in the first round of the Gulf South Conference tournament in Pensacola, Fla. Harding improved to 24-8 on the season.
The Lady Bisons came out of the gate scoring four straight points to begin the match. West Alabama took a 6-5 lead on five straight points to take the lead for the first time. The Tigers led until the middle of the set when the Lady Bisons went on a 6-1 run to go ahead 19-15. West Alabama battled back and to tie the set 23 all on a 6-1 run. The Tigers scored two of the last three points to take set, 25-24.
In the second set, Harding jumped out to a 5-1 lead, led by two service aces by freshman LeShae Belt. The Lady Bisons took a 12-4 lead before the Tigers slowly battled their way back into the set. West Alabama tied the set at 19 and then took a lead 22-21 on an 11-3 run. Harding had set point at 24-22 but failed to put West Alabama away. The Tigers used their momentum and took set two 26-24.
West Alabama got on the scoreboard first in set three. Harding went on an 11-2 run in the middle of the set to take a 15-8 lead. West Alabama tried to mount a comeback but was stuffed by Harding who closed out West Alabama 25-16.
The fourth set stayed close with both teams exchanging points. Harding took a 17-15 lead and never looked back, taking set three 25-22 and tying the match 2-2. Shellie Rummer and Manuela Nesheva each had five kills in the set. Harding as a team only had one error in the set.
In the deciding set both teams looked to jump out to an early lead. West Alabama took a 4-2 lead but Harding got a kill by Sarah Phipps and a service error by the Tigers to get them right back into the set. Harding gave up three straight points to West Alabama but got them right back to tie up the set seven all. Shellie Rummer and Sarah Phipps blocked West Alabama Gabriela Pedrosa's attack attempt to take the lead for good. Manuela Nesheva hit back-to-back kills to seal the win for the Lady Bisons.
Harding was lead by junior outside hitter Nesheva who had 24 kills and 14 digs for her 11th double-double on the season. Senior middle blocker Shellie Rummer hit .469 with 18 kills. Junior outside hitter Sarah Phipps added 17 kills.
Senior setter Leah Tepe, Harding's all-time assists leader, had 57 assists on the night and led the Lady Bisons defense with 18 digs. Defensive specialist Emily Tate had 17 digs.
West Alabama had four players in double figure kills. Leading the way was Jordan Kent who had 19. Gabriela Pedrosa posted a double-double on the night with 14 digs and 17 digs. Leading the way defensively for West Alabama was Chanelle Esteban who had 18 digs.
Harding will play in the GSC Tournament semifinals against host team West Florida at 1:30 p.m., Saturday.
