SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team stayed perfect in Great American Conference action Saturday as they defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State 3-0 at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bison improved to 20-6 overall and 9-0 in the GAC.

With five matches remaining, Harding is in sole possession of first place in the GAC standings. The conference winner will host the GAC Championship Nov. 15-17.

Since joining the NCAA in 1997, Harding has won 20 or more matches in a season 13 times. It's also the second straight year HU has won 20 or more matches. Harding won 25 matches last year.

Middle blockers Liv Savage and Alyssa Short led HU with 10 kills apiece. Short led the Lady Bisons in hitting with a season-high .562 hitting percentage.

As a team, HU hit for a season-high .396. It was the third-straight match HU has hit over .300. Harding had 45 kills on 91 attempts as they tied a season-low with nine hitting errors.

The Lady Bisons defense was led by junior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland who had 18 digs.

Southwestern Oklahoma State (8-17, 6-3 GAC) was led by Ariana Rodriquez who had nine kills.

Harding will be back in action on Tuesday as they host Southern Arkansas at 7 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House. SAU is tied with Arkansas Tech for second place in the GAC.