SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team travels to Orlando, Fla., this weekend to take part in the Rollins Regional Tournament hosted by Rollins College. The Lady Bisons will play three Sunshine State Conference schools and Gulf South Conference East Division foe Valdosta State. HU opens the tournament against Lynn on Saturday at 1 p.m.

When Harding meets Lynn, it will be for the first time. The Fighting Knights are 15-6 overall and 4-4 in the Sunshine State Conference. Lynn is led by Katie Bradley who averages 3.12 kills per set and 2.52 digs per set. The Fighting Knights defense is led by Lacy Redwine who averages 4.88 digs per set.

In the second match Saturday, Harding will take on #14 Saint Leo for only the second time. Last year the Lady Bisons fell to the Lions, 3-1. Saint Leo is 18-2 overall and 8-0 in the SSC. The Lions have three players averaging over three kills a set, leading the way is Kaitlin McKenna who averages 3.38 a set.  

Sunday morning at 10 a.m., Harding will face GSC East Division foe Valdosta State. The Lady Bisons lead the series 2-0. The Lady Blazers (10-7, 2-3 GSCE) are led by Irene Hannan who averages 3.40 kills per set.  

In the final match of the tournament on Sunday, Harding takes on host team Rollins who is 14-9 overall and 2-6 in the SSC. The Lady Bisons defeated Rollins last season, 3-1. The Tars are led by Nikki Hartman who averages 3.75 kills per set and 3.02 digs per set.

In the South Region Rankings that were released this week, Saint Leo is ranked first and Lynn is ranked fourth.  Harding is in the south region but was not ranked in the top 10.

The Lady Bisons (19-3, 6-1 GSCW) are led by senior outside hitter Manuela Nesheva who averages 4.44 kills per set and 2.52 digs per set. The HU defense is led by junior Emily Tate who averages 4.65 digs per set.