SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team hits the road this weekend as they travel to the state of Oklahoma for two Great American Conference matches against Southwestern Oklahoma State and Southeastern Oklahoma State and one non-conference match against Central Oklahoma.
The Lady Bisons face Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday at 7 p.m., in Weatherford, Okla., Central Oklahoma on Friday at 7 p.m., in Edmond, Okla., and Southeastern Oklahoma on Saturday at 11 a.m., in Durant, Okla.
Harding (14-4 overall and 5-1 in the GAC) looks to improve on a 1-0 record in the state of Oklahoma this season. The Lady Bisons defeated East Central 3-1 in GAC play earlier this season.
As a team, Harding leads the GAC in two stat categories –assists (11.98) and kills (13.05).
HU is led by sophomore outside hitter Mollie Arnold who averages 3.98 kills (third in the GAC) and 3.43 digs per set (tenth in the GAC). Sophomore middle blocker Alyssa Short leads the Lady Bisons in hitting with a .309 hitting percentage.
The Harding defense is led by sophomore defensive specialist Weslynn Williams who averages 4.06 digs per set. Senior defensive specialist Amber Parker has come on of late with two consecutive 20 plus dig matches for the Lady Bisons.
Southwestern Oklahoma State heads into the match on Thursday with a 6-7 overall record and a 4-3 GAC record. The bulldogs are led by LaKendra Sanders who averages 3.54 kills per set. Sladjana Smiljanic led the SWOSU defense averaging 5.85 digs per set (first in the GAC). Harding leads the series against the Bulldogs 2-0.
Central Oklahoma, a NCAA Division II member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association, heads in the match on Friday with an 11-9 overall record. The Bronchos are led by Alex Richardson who averages 3.73 kills per set. The series between the two teams is tied 5-5.
Southeastern Oklahoma State heads into the match on Saturday with an 8-12 overall record and a 5-1 record in the GAC. The Storm is led by Lunden Azuara who averages 4.25 kills per set (first in the GAC) and 4.04 digs per set (sixth in the GAC). The Lady Bisons lead the series against SEOSU 11-0.
Links to live stats and live video for the match can be found on hardingsports.com
