Tournament Home

SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team opens the 2011 season on the road as they travel to Joplin, Mo., to participate in the Missouri Southern Invitational this weekend. On Friday, the Lady Bisons will take on Central Oklahoma at 1 p.m. and Newman at 5 p.m. On Saturday, Harding will take on host team Missouri Southern State at noon and conclude the tournament against Quincy at 4 p.m.

The Lady Bisons return four starters from last year's squad - junior setter Amber Schinzing, senior middle blocker Alex Smith, junior right-side hitter Bailee Graham and last year's Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year Mollie Arnold.

Harding also returns five other letterwinners - sophomore defensive specialist Weslynn Williams, senior defensive specialist Amber Parker, junior outside hitter Jordan Smith, sophomore outside hitter Lisa Copeland, and sophomore middle blocker Alyssa Short.

Since joining the NCAA in 2000, the Lady Bisons are 9-2 in season openers.

The Lady Bisons have compiled a 6-5 record in their three previous appearances at the MSSU Invitational.

When Harding meets Central Oklahoma on Friday it will be the 11^th meeting between the two schools and the series is tied five matches apiece.   The Bronchos return six letterwinnes from last year's team which posted a 20-11 record. UCO will compete as an NCAA Division II independent this season before joining the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in 2012-13.

Friday's match against Newman will be the first time the two teams have met.  The Jets posted a 14-16 record last season and an 8-4 record in the Heartland Conference. Newman returns four starters and nine letterwinners from last year's squad.

On Saturday, Harding will face Missouri Southern State for the 13^th time. The Lady Bisons have the upper hand in the series, leading 8-4. The Lions finished last season with an 18-14 overall record and posted an 8-12 MIAA record. They return four starters and seven letterwinners.

Wrapping up the tournament, the Lady Bisons will face Quincy for the first time. The Lady Hawks had a 7-20 overall record last season and a 2-12 record in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. They return all six starters and 12 letterwinners.