PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Harding volleyball team fell to Emporia State 3-1 but closed out the Pittsburg State Classic with a 3-0 win against Missouri Southern State on Saturday. The Lady Bisons are now 2-2 on the season.

Junior outside hitter Mollie Arnold led HU in both matches. She finished with 14 kills against Emporia State and had her third double-double of the season against Missouri Southern State with 12 kills and 10 digs.

Junior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland tied her season high of 20 digs in the first match and led the Lady Bisons with 16 digs in the second match. Copeland has finished with more than 10 digs each match this season.

In the first match of the day, Harding jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead against Emporia State (3-0). The Lady Bisons had 15 kills in the set and held the Hornets to hitting .077. ESU rallied back in the second set forcing 10 HU hitting errors to take the set 25-18. The Hornets continued their momentum into the third set with a 25-19 win. The fourth set stayed close until the Lady Bisons broke from a 16-16 tie on a 6-1 run to take a 21-17 lead. Emporia State once again rallied with a 6-0 run. With the set tied at 23-23, the Hornets forced a HU hitting error and served an ace in match point to pick up the 3-1 win.

In the final match of the classic, the Lady Bisons came out and hit for a .314 percentage, the highest in a set this season, as they took the first set 25-17. Harding continued their assault on the Lions (0-4) in the second set with a 25-18 victory. The Lady Bisons didn't hit well in the third set but their defense came through as they only allowed six Missouri Southern State kills. Harding had six blocks in the match led by sophomore middle blocker Liv Savage who had three.

Harding will have their home opener earlier than in the past as they host Drury in non-conference action at 7 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House on Tuesday.