Harding: Mollie Arnold – 12 kills
Harding: Liv Savage – 10 kills and 4 blocks
Harding: Taryn Eubank – 32 assists and 8 digs
East Central: Hayley Gerken – 9 kills

SEARCY – The Harding Volleyball team defeated East Central 3-0 (25-18, 25-21 and 25-19) on Friday in Great American Conference action at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons improved to 13-5 overall and 4-0 in the GAC.

Harding has now won 20 straight conference matches and 20 straight home matches dating back to the 2011 season.

After being tied 9-9 in the first set, HU went on a 7-2 run as senior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland had two of her team-high three services aces. East Central (6-7, 3-1 GAC) battled back on a 4-0 run to cut the HU lead to one, 16-15, on two kills by senior middle blocker Ashley Williams. Harding pulled on a 9-3 run which was started by a Marindia Turner kill. Junior middle blocker Liv Savage had three kills during the run. HU won the set 25-18.

Harding jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the second set. After being down 13-6, ECU went on a 5-0 run as they forced a HU service error and two attack errors. The Lady Tigers tied the set for the first time on a 3-0 run on three straight kills. ECU stayed close until Harding went on a 6-3 run late, to take the set 25-21.

The third set was tied 5-5 until the Lady Bisons went on an 8-2 run as HU forced three East Central attack errors. ECU tried to mount a comeback as they pulled within three on a block assist but the Lady Bisons lead proved to be too much as HU took the set, 25-19.

Harding was led by senior outside hitter Mollie Arnold who had 12 kills. Savage had 10 kills for HU. It was the sixth time this season she has had 10 or more kills. Junior setter Taryn Eubank had 32 assists and eight digs.

East Central was led by sophomore middle blocker Hayley Gerken who had nine kills.

The Lady Bisons will continue Great American Conference action on Saturday as they host Southeastern Oklahoma at 2 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House.