SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team travels to Bolivar, Mo., to participate in the Southwest Baptist Tournament on Friday and Saturday. The Lady Bisons will take on Texas A&M-Kingsville and Christian Brothers on Friday and Saint Leo and Pittsburg State on Saturday.
Harding looks to improve on a 3-2 overall record after defeating Drury at home on Tuesday, 3-0.
The Lady Bisons are led by junior outside hitter Mollie Arnold who averages 4.33 kills and 2.44 digs per set. Senior setter Amber Schinzing leads Harding's offense, averaging 10.50 assists per set.
The HU defense is led by junior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland who is reigning Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Copeland averages 4.78 digs per set. At the net, Harding is led by junior middle blocker Alyssa Short who averages 1.17 blocks per set.
HU will open the tournament against Texas A&M-Kingsville at 9:30 a.m., on Friday. TAMUK is a NCAA Division II member of the Lone Star conference and heads into the tournament with a 4-0 record. The Javelinas are led by Dedra Brown who averages 3.54 kills per set. Harding leads the series between the two teams, 5-3.
In the second game on Friday, Harding will face a familiar foe Christian Brothers. CBU is a NCAA Division II member of the Gulf South Conference. The Lady Bucs head into the tournament with a 4-0 record, including a 3-1 defeat over Great American Conference member Arkansas Tech. Hannah Kurtz leads the CBU attack, averaging 3.00 kills per set. It will be the 57th meeting between the two teams as HU has the advantage, 43-13.
In the final day of the tournament, Harding will face Saint Leo at 9 a.m., on Saturday. The Lions are a NCAA Division II member of the Sunshine State Conference and head into the tournament with a 4-0 record. Saint Leo has four players that average over two kills per set. Leading the way is Tawni Warren who average 2.86 kills. Harding is looking for their first win against the Lions who have a 2-0 series lead.
Harding will wrap up the tournament against Pittsburg State at 3:30 p.m. The Gorillas, who are a NCAA Division II member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, also head into the tournament with a 4-0 record. Pitts State is led by Crystal Whitten and Brooke Fay who each average over three kills per set. The series record between the two teams is close but the Gorillas have a 6-5 lead.
