Live Stats - Alabama-Huntsville
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SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team hits the road as they travel to northern Alabama, stopping at Alabama-Huntsville on Thursday and then traveling to Florence, to take part in North Alabama Tournament on Friday and Saturday. They will face No. 1 Tampa, host team North Alabama and West Florida in the tournament. It will be the first time in Harding history they will play an NCAA Division II No. 1- ranked team. The Lady Bisons head into the weekend with a 5-3 overall record.
At the first stop on Thursday, Harding will take on Alabama-Huntsville at 6 p.m. The Lady Chargers (a Gulf South Conference East Division member) head into the match with a 2-6 overall record. They are led by junior outside hitter Jessica Ruple who averages 2.96 kills per set. UAH has fallen to Missouri-St. Louis and Southern Indiana (teams the Lady Bisons faced last weekend), 3-0. Harding is 12-0 all-time against Alabama-Huntsville.
On Friday, Harding will face top-ranked Tampa at 11 a.m., in the opening round of the North Alabama Tournament. It will be the first meeting between the two teams. The Spartans are a Division II member of the Sunshine State Conference. They head into the tournament with a 6-2 overall record. Tampa defeated No. 1 Concordia and No. 14 Lewis last week in the Colorado Premier Classic to take over the No. 1 spot in the AVCA Coaches Poll. Tampa is led by senior outside hitter Melissa Vanderhall who averages 3.07 kills per set. On defense, they are led by defensive specialist Julie Howlett who averages 4.06 digs per set.
Later Friday afternoon, Harding takes on host team North Alabama at 3 p.m. The Lions, (a GSC East Division member) heads into the match with a 4-3 overall record. North Alabama received four votes this past weekend in the AVCA Coaches Poll but didn't crack the top 25. The Lions are led by senior middle blocker Sarah Roberts who averages 4.00 kills per set. North Alabama leads the series, 12-2.
Harding closes out the tournament on Saturday as they take on West Florida at 11 a.m. The Argonauts (a GSC East Division member) head into the tournament with a 4-3 overall record. West Florida was ranked No. 25 but fell out of the poll after losing their last three matches. Harding leads the series 3-1. The Argos have five players that average two or more kills per set. Leading the way is senior outside hitter Chelsea Wilhoite who averages 2.92 kills per set.
The Lady Bisons are led by freshman outside hitter Mollie Arnold who averages 4.37 kills per set. Sophomore outside hitter Reagan Smith isn't far behind Arnold, averaging 3.38 kills per set. The Harding defense is led by senior defensive specialist Emily Tate who averages 4.93 digs per set.
