Harding (9-5) vs. Arkansas Tech (7-3)
Location: Russellville, Ark.
Time: 6 p.m.
Series: ATU leads 41-35
Coaches: Harding – Meredith Fear (38-11, 2nd season); Arkansas Tech – Kristy Bayer (235-98, 10th season)
Live Stats/Live Video – Available on a link at HardingSports.com
Harding
- Harding is coming off a 4-1 week. The Lady Bisons started last week with a 3-0 Great American Conference win over Henderson State on Tuesday. HU then participated in the Arkansas-Fort Smith Tournament this past Friday and Saturday. Harding defeated Dallas Baptist and host team Arkansas-Fort Smith by a 3-1 score on Friday. On Saturday, HU fell to No. 11 Washburn 3-2 and then swept Texas Woman's 3-0 to wrap up the tournament.
- The Lady Bisons are led by senior outside hitter Mollie Arnold who averages 4.29 kills which ranks first in the GAC. She also averages 3.25 digs per set. Junior setter Taryn Eubank ranks second in the GAC in assists with a 9.56 average.
- The Harding defense is led by senior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland who averages a GAC leading 5.24 digs per set. Junior middle blocker Liv Savage ranks second in the GAC in blocks, averaging 1.04 blocks per set.
- As a team, Harding ranks first in the GAC in Kills (12.98 kps), assists (12.15 aps) and digs (18.15 dps).
Arkansas Tech
- Arkansas Tech opened GAC play with a 3-0 win over Arkansas-Monticello last Tuesday. The Goldens Suns are coming off a 3-2 non-conference win over Dallas Baptist last Thursday in Russellville. ATU's only losses this season came against St. Cloud State, Northern State and Belmont Abbey.
- Arkansas Tech is led by junior outside hitter Emily Todd who averages 3.13 kills per set and 2.26 digs per set. Sophomore defensive specialist Morgan McKellar averages 4.50 digs per set.
- Arkansas Tech is coached by Kristy Bayer who in her 10th season.
Series
- Arkansas Tech leads the series 41-35. Harding won all three meetings last season but before 2012, ATU won five straight. Of the last eight matches, five times the two teams had to play the fifth set to decide the winner.
- Since joining the NCAA in 1997, Harding is 8-10 in Russellville.
