SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team continues Great American Conference action on Thursday as they host Southwestern Okla. St., at 7 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 21-7 overall record and an 11-3 record in the GAC.

Harding is currently in second place in the GAC standings. Southeastern Okla. St. is right on the heels of the Lady Bisons with a 10-7 conference record. The two will meet on Saturday. Eight of the nine conference teams will meet in Russellville, Ark., next weekend for the GAC tournament.

Harding is led by sophomore outside hitter Mollie Arnold who averages 3.92 kills (third in the GAC) and 3.51 digs per set (ninth in the GAC). Sophomore middle blocker Alyssa Short leads the Lady Bisons in hitting with a .295 hitting percentage (fifth in the GAC).

The Harding defense is led by sophomore defensive specialist Weslynn Williams who averages 4.41 digs per set (sixth in the GAC).

HU has three players that have over 60 blocks on the season. The Lady Bisons are led by Short who has 76 blocks. Junior right-side hitter Bailee Graham has 64 and senior middle blocker Alex Smith has 61. It's the first time since the 2006 season, Harding has had three players with 60 or more blocks.

Southwestern Okla. St., heads into the match with a 9-15 overall record and a 5-9 GAC record after falling in their last four matches. The Bulldogs are currently in seventh place in the GAC standings. SWOSU is led by LaKendra Sanders who averages 4.36 kills per set. Sladjana Smiljanc leads the Bulldogs on defense averaging 5.81 digs per set (first in the GAC).

Harding leads the series between the two teams 3-0. When the two teams met earlier this season in Weatherford, Okla., the Lady Bisons defeated the Bulldogs 3-2.

Links to live stats and free live video will be available on hardingsports.com.