SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team looks for its first undefeated Great American Conference season on Thursday as they host Arkansas-Monticello at 7 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House in the regular season finale. After the match, the Lady Bisons will recognize two seniors – Amber Schinzing and Bailee Graham.
Harding has already wrapped up the GAC Regular Season Championship and has earned the right to host the GAC Tournament Nov. 15-17. The Lady Bisons will know who they are playing in the first round of the tournament after all the conference matches have concluded Thursday.
Harding looks to improve on a 10-game winning streak and to stay perfect at home with a 9-0 record.
HU is coming off a 3-0 win at Northwestern Oklahoma State last Saturday. Harding (24-6, 13-0 GAC) hit a season-high .410 in the match, which ranks 10th all-time in school history. Harding's .410 broke the GAC record for hitting percentage in a conference match. Freshman outside hitter Molly Howard led Harding with a career-high 12 kills. She also hit for a career-high .400. Junior outside hitter Mollie Arnold hit .545 and had seven kills and seven digs for the Lady Bisons.
Arnold leads the Lady Bisons and ranks first in the GAC in kills per set with a 3.99 average. Schinzing also ranks first in the GAC in assists averaging 11.07 per set.
Harding ranks first in the GAC in two categories – opponent hitting percentage (.140) and kills (13.71). The Lady Bisons also rank second in two categories – hitting percentage (.232) and assists (12.63).
Arkansas-Monticello heads into the match with an 11-22 overall record and a 4-9 GAC record. UAM is in eighth place in the GAC standings. The top eight teams make the conference tournament. The Cotton Blossoms are coming off a 3-1 loss to Southern Arkansas on Tuesday. Arkansas-Monticello is led by Amy Kleypas who averages 3.27 kills per set and 3.06 digs per set.
Harding leads the series 15-0. When the two teams met in Monticello earlier this season, Harding won 3-0. Harding hit .318 in the match and was led by Mollie Arnold who had 16 kills.
Check Hardingsports.com for the live stats and live video links.
