Box Score

SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team came up short on Tuesday as they fell to Arkansas-Fort Smith 3-0 (26-24,23-25,29-27,25-23) in non-conference action at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons fall to 14-4 on the season.

Defense was the key for the Lady Lions in the match as they had 100 digs and 17 team blocks. Arkansas-Fort Smith's digs and blocks were the most by an opponent all season.

Harding tried to force a fifth and deciding set as they led 23-21 in the fourth set. The Lady Lions forced four Lady Bison attack errors on three blocks to take the match.  

Arkansas-Fort Smith had five players in double figures digs, including two with 20 or more digs. Keely Rivera led with 26 and Heidi Luks had 25. Fabiane Nass finished with 15, Janie Price had 11 and Taylor Jordan had 10 digs for the Lady Lions.

At the net, Arkansas-Fort Smith was led by Luks who was involved in 14 of the 17 team blocks, which included a match-high seven solo blocks.

Arkansas-Fort Smith had three players finish in double-figure kills. KatyBeth Carlson led the Lady Lions with 19. Morgan Banner finished with 15 and Luks had 10.

Harding sophomore outside hitter Mollie Arnold finished with a match-high 23 kills and 16 digs for her 12th double-double of the season. Junior right-side hitter Bailee Graham was the other Lady Bison in double figure kills with 12.

The Harding defense was led by senior defensive specialist Amber Parker who had a career-high 22 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Weslynn Williams finished with 20 digs.

Junior setter Amber Schinzing controlled the Harding offense in the match and finished with a season-high 43 assists.

Harding hits the road this weekend as they travel to Oklahoma for a three game road swing. HU will face Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday at 7 p.m., Central Oklahoma on Friday at 7 p.m., and then Southeastern Oklahoma State at 11 a.m., on Saturday.