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Harding: Marindia Turner – 13 kills
Harding: Alyssa Short – 7 blocks
Harding: Lisa Copeland – 19 digs
Arkansas Tech: Emily Todd 14 digs

SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team defeated Arkansas Tech 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-22) on Tuesday in Great American Conference action at the Rhodes Field House. With the win, the Lady Bisons clinched a share of the GAC Regular Season Championship and will be the No. 1 seed in the GAC Tournament.

With two matches remaining in the season, Harding will at least share the GAC Championship. The Lady Bisons will need one more win to win the GAC regular season outright.

It was the sixth straight win for Harding as they improved to 23-7 overall and 12-0 in the GAC. Also, the Lady Bisons extended their conference winning streak to 29 matches and their home winning streak to 23, as both streaks date back to the 2011 season.

Harding jumped out to an 11-6 lead in the first set and then extended its lead to 20-13 as they forced six Arkansas Tech errors. HU closed the set on a 5-1 run on three kills.

The Lady Bisons took a 9-5 lead in the second set until the Golden Suns cut the lead to two on a 3-1 run on three kills. Harding broke the set open on a 6-2 run as they took a 22-15 lead as they forced two ATU attack errors. The Lady Bisons won the set 25-16 on a 3-0 run as they forced two more ATU attack errors. The Golden Suns had seven attack errors in the set.

After trailing 9-6 in the third set, senior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland served up seven straight points for Harding. During the run, HU forced four attack errors on three blocks as senior middle blocker Alyssa Short had a hand in all three. Arkansas Tech slowly battled its way back into the set as they pulled within two on a 3-0 run on two kills by senior outside hitter Stephanie Channell. HU quickly answered back with a 3-0 run on two kills and a service aces by senior outside hitter Mollie Arnold. At set point, junior outside hitter Marindia Turner gave HU the win with a kill.

Turner led HU with 13 kills. Junior middle blocker Liv Savage had 10 kills.

The Harding defense was led by reigning GAC Players of the Week as Lisa Copeland had 19 digs and Alyssa Short had seven blocks.

Arkansas Tech (20-10, 7-3 GAC) was led by Katie Huff who had nine kills. Emily Todd led the ATU defense with 14 digs.

Harding will play its final home match on Saturday as they host Northwestern Oklahoma at 11 a.m., at the Rhodes Field House. After the match, HU will honor three seniors for their contribution to the Lady Bison volleyball program.