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SEARCY – The Harding volleyball opens the 2010 campaign on the road Friday and Saturday as they participate in the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Classic hosted by Texas Women's in Denton, Texas. The Lady Bisons will face four opponents in the tournament. Since 2000, Harding is 8-2 in season openers.

On Friday, the Lady Bisons face East Stroudsburg (Pa.) at 2 p.m. and Northwest Nazarene at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Harding will take on Texas A&M-International at 12:30 p.m. and then close out the tournament by facing the host team, Texas Women's at 5:30 p.m.

The Lady Bisons, picked to finish first in the Gulf South Conference West Division, finished with a 28-7 overall record last season and took home the GSC West Division title.

Harding looks to add to their dominance in this tournament. Since 2000, Harding is 17-3 during its five tournament appearances at Texas Women's. Their last loss came against Missouri Southern State in 2007, the Lady Bisons have won five straight since then.

Harding is led by two preseason All-GSC players, Emily Tate and Alex Smith.

Tate, a defensive specialist from Sachse, Texas, led the Lady Bisons in digs per set (4.69) and aces (63) last season and went on to receive 1st Team All-GSC honors.

Smith, a middle blocker from Carmel, Ind., averaged 1.67 kills per set and led the team with 61 blocks.

The top Lady Bison newcomers Mollie Arnold and Alyssa Short look to shine this weekend.

Arnold, a 5-11 outside hitter from Jonesboro, Ark., was a three-time Arkansas Class 4A All-State honoree. She also led Westside High School to a state championship her senior season.

Short, a 6-1 middle blocker from The Woodlands, Texas, received 1st team All-District honors at Oak Ridge High School last season.

Head Coach Keith Giboney currently sits at 297 wins at Harding. He could pick up his 300th victory on Saturday.