Box Score

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Harding volleyball team defeated Southwestern Oklahoma St., 3-0 on Friday in the opening round of the Great American Conference Tournament. The Lady Bisons will face Southern Arkansas at 12 p.m., on Saturday in the semifinals.

The Harding defense forced 27 hitting errors, had 74 digs, nine team blocks and forced SWOSU to a -.015 hitting percentage. The Lady Bisons had three players finish in double-figure digs. Senior defensive specialist Amber Parker led with a match-high 22 digs. Sophomore Weslynn Williams finished with 16 and sophomore outside hitter Mollie Arnold had 15. At the net, Harding (24-7) was led by senior middle blocker Alex Smith who had a match-high six blocks.

Freshman outside hitter Kalyn Helton led the Lady Bisons offense with nine kills. Sophomore middle blocker Alyssa Short and Arnold each added eight for HU. Short led the team in hitting with a .615 hitting percentage.

Southwestern Oklahoma St. (9-19) was led by Stephanie Parker who had nine kills. The Bulldogs were led on defense by Sladjana Smiljanic who had 19 digs.