Box Score

FLORENCE, Ala. – Despite sophomore outside hitter Mollie Arnold's 20 kills and career-high 26 digs, the Harding volleyball team fell to Nova Southeastern on Thursday, 3-2. The Lady Bisons fall to 5-1 on the season.

Arnold's kills and digs were both season highs. It was the first time in her career that she has had over 20 kills and 20 digs in a match. The last time a Lady Bison achieved the feat was when Manuela Nesheva (2006-09) had 24 kills and 24 digs against Rollins in 2008.

The two teams were tied at 10 in the first set until a 7-1 run found the Lady Bisons in control. The Sharks battled back to within two, 23-21, but two kills by Harding allowed the Lady Bisons to take set one, 25-22.

Harding jumped out to a 13-7 lead in the second set but NSU went on a 7-1 run to tie the set at 14. The two teams kept it close until a kill and two Lady Bison errors gave the set to the Sharks, 25-23.

Nova Southeastern took a 10-5 lead in the third set. Harding tried to climb back but couldn't get any closer than two, as the Sharks took set three 25-17.

The two teams battled for the lead in the fourth set. Neither team could get more than a two point lead. Three straight kills by the Lady Bisons gave them a 23-21 advantage. The Sharks battled back to tie the set at 25. A Harding kill and a NSU error gave the Lady Bisons the set, 27-25.

In the fifth deciding set, Harding jumped out to a 5-0 lead on five straight kills. The Lady Bisons had three straight attack errors to allow the Sharks back in it. NSU took an 8-6 lead on two Harding errors. The Sharks gained momentum as they took six of the next seven points to take the set and the match. Harding had nine total errors in the set.

The Nova Southeastern defense forced the Lady Bisons to 39 hitting errors and had 15 blocks.

Harding had a season-high in both kills (71) and digs (107). The last time the Lady Bisons have had over 70 kills in a match was last season at Ouachita Baptist (76) and the last time HU had over 100 digs in a match was last season at Southern Arkansas (120).

Freshman setter Taryn Eubank had a career-high in both assists (27) and digs (21). The last time a Harding setter had over 20 assists and 20 digs was Leah Tepe (2005-08) against Emporia State in 2006. Sophomore defensive specialist Weslynn Williams had a career-high 21 digs.

Senior middle blocker Alex Smith had a season-high 12 kills and junior outside hitter Jordan Smith also had a season-high in kills with 11.

The Lady Bisons will travel the short distance to Huntsville, Ala., to participate in the Alabama-Huntsville Invitational on Friday and Saturday. Harding will have to bounce back quick as they take on West Georgia at 11 a.m., on Friday.