Box Score vs. Lynn
Box Score vs. Saint Leo

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Harding volleyball team dropped two matches Saturday in the Rollins Regional Tournament in Orlando, Fla. The Lady Bisons fell to Lynn, 3-2 and #14 Saint Leo, 3-0. Harding falls to 19-5 on the season.

In the first match against Lynn, Harding came out of the gate taking the first two sets, 25-10 and 25-12. The Fighting Knights had a .000 hitting percentage in the first two sets. Lynn bounced back taking the next three sets for the win. It was the first time this season Harding has won the first two sets and lost the match.

Harding was led by senior outside hitter Sarah Phipps who captured a double-double with 10 kills and 18 digs. Fellow senior Manuela Nesheva added 19 kills to the Harding total of 48. Junior Emily Tate led the Harding defense with 21 digs. It was the seventh time this season she has ended with more than 20 digs in a match. Tate also had five service aces. Harding had a season high eight blocks in the match.

Katie Bradley led the Fighting Knights with 17 kills. Devon Woolard led the Lynn defense with 19 digs.

In the final match of the day, Harding kept the first set close until Saint Leo went on an 8-1 run to take the first set, 25-13. The Lions jumped out to a 14-5 lead in the second set and didn't look back as they took the set, 25-14. Harding rallied in the third set, taking a 13-11 lead but Saint Leo went on a 5-1 run to go up 16-14. Harding tied the set at 17-17 but the Lions quickly took back the lead and didn't allow the Lady Bisons to get any closer than one as they took the set, 27-25.

Manuela led the Lady Bisons in the match with 10 kills. Tate led the defense with 17 digs.

Saint Leo had two players that ended with double-figure kills. Kaitlin McKenna and Emily Calderon-Reyes each had 12 kills for the Lions. Both players hit for over a .400 percentage, and as a team had a .321 hitting percentage.

The Lady Bisons will play their final two matches in the tournament Sunday, facing Rollins at 8 a.m., and Valdosta State at 9:15 a.m.