ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Harding women's tennis took less than 30 minutes to advance to the semifinals of the Great American Conference Championship on Friday.

Harding defeated Southern Arkansas 5-0 and will meet the winner of the East Central-Henderson State later Friday.

The win gave Harding a 20-7 record and its fifth 20-win season in the last seven years. Southern Arkansas won only once in 13 regular season matches, an 8-1 victory over NAIA East Texas Baptist. The Lady Riders completed their season 1-13.

Southern Arkansas had only five players on hand for the Harding match and defaulted at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. With the 2-0 lead, Harding needed only three more victories to move to the semifinals.

Harding won both remaining doubles matches 8-0. Ling Chan and Benyapa Phumtip won their 14th No. 1 doubles match of the season, tying them for seventh in a Harding single season. Their 14 victories are the most by a Harding No. 1 doubles team since Karina Gomes and Alicia Williams won 15 in 2008.

Katie Huff and Chelsea Hunt improved to 15-6 this season with their victory at No. 2 doubles that gave Harding a 4-0 lead. Huff and Hunt have won 12 matches this season at No. 2 doubles, tied for fifth-most in a Harding single season.

Needing only one point for the victory, Callie Huey made quick work of Jordan White at No. 5 singles, winning 6-0, 6-0. It was Huey's 17th singles victory of the season, tied for second on the team.

Harding had success against both of its potential opponents in the semifinal round. The Lady Bisons defeated East Central 7-2 on March 29 in Ada, Okla., and had two 9-0 victories over Henderson State.

Tennis Match Results
Southern Arkansas vs Harding
Apr 20, 2012 at Arkadelphia, Ark. (GAC Championship)
(OBU Indoor Courts)
 
Harding 5, Southern Arkansas 0
 
 Singles competition
1. Ling Chan (HU) vs. Rachel Wetherington (SAU) unfinished
2. Benyapa Phumtip (HU) vs. Lauren Barnard (SAU) unfinished
3. Chelsea Hunt (HU) vs. Rebecca Hensley (SAU) unfinished
4. Gina Cielo (HU) vs. Autumn Foster (SAU) unfinished
5. Callie Huey (HU) def. Jordan White (SAU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Katie Huff (HU) def. No player (SAU), by default
 
 Doubles competition
1. Ling Chan/Benyapa Phumtip (HU) def. Rachel Wetherington/Lauren Barnard (SAU) 8-0
2. Katie Huff/Chelsea Hunt (HU) def. Rebecca Hensley/Jordan White (SAU) 8-0
3. Gina Cielo/Callie Huey (HU) def. No player/No player (SAU), by default
 
Match Notes:
Southern Arkansas 1-13
Harding 20-7