Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Harding volleyball team fell to Rockhurst 3-1 in the season opener but bounced back to defeat William Jewell, 3-1 in the first day of the Pittsburg State Classic on Friday. Head Coach Meredith Fear received her first win at the helm of the Lady Bisons.
Junior outside hitter Mollie Arnold led HU in both matches picking up her 36th and 37th career double-doubles. In the first match against Rockhurst, Arnold had 15 kills and 10 digs and in the second match she had 23 kills and 11 digs.
The Lady Bisons defense was led by junior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland who had a career-high 20 digs against Rockhurst. She also had 18 against William Jewell.
Junior middle blocker Alyssa Short led HU at the net. She had seven blocks in the Rockhurst match and three blocks against William Jewell.
In the first match, Harding found themselves down 2-0 in the match until the third set. Lady Bisons came from behind on five straight points to take the set, 25-23. HU tried to hang on in the fourth set but fell, 25-23. The Hawks had two players that finished with over 15 kills. Katie Loescher led with 17 and Maggie Hummel finished with 16. Rockhurst forced 32 Harding attack errors in the match.
In the second match against William Jewell, HU was tied at 22 in the first set until Arnold closed the set with three kills. The Cardinals (0-2) took a 10-0 lead to start the second set. The Lady Bisons stayed poised and slowly began to crawl back in it. HU was down 20-14 in set but went on an 11-3 rally to take the set, 25-23. William Jewell held onto their lead in the third set as they squashed the Harding rally taking the set, 25-18. The Lady Bisons found themselves down again in the fourth set 15-9 but went on a five point rally late to take the set and match.
Harding was outhit in both matches. Rockhurst hit .200 to Harding's .128 and William Jewell hit .193 to the Lady Bisons' .147. It was only the 17th time since 2000 that Harding was outhit by an opponent and still won.
The Lady Bisons will wrap up the Pittsburg State Classic on Saturday as they take on Emporia State at 9 a.m., and then face Missouri Southern State at 2 p.m. Check Hardingsports.com for live stat links.
