SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team will take on Arkansas-Monticello on Tuesday in Great American Conference action at 7 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons head into the game with a 12-6 overall record and a 6-2 GAC record.
Harding will be wearing pink jerseys and will be selling t-shirts before and after the match as all proceeds will go to Carson Head who is an 8-year old girl battling cancer. She is currently in St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
HARDING
Harding has won its last 28 home matches, dating back to the 2011 season. It is the second longest home winning streak in the Lady Bisons history. Harding won 36 between 2003 and 2005.
Harding is coming off a 3-1 performance last week. The Lady Bisons beat Ouachita Baptist (3-0) and Henderson State (3-0) in GAC action before heading to Rolla, Mo., to face Missouri S&T and Truman State on Saturday. Harding fell to Truman State 3-0 but bounced back to beat Missouri S&T 3-2.
The Lady Bisons are led on the season by senior outside hitter Marindia Turner who averages 3.00 kills which ranks tied for eighth in the GAC. Harding's offense is led by senior setter Taryn Eubank who leads the GAC in assists, averaging 10.12 per set. She also ranks fourth in the GAC in hitting percentage (.299). Sophomore middle blocker Sara Smith leads the GAC in hitting with a .340 percentage.
The Lady Bisons defense is led by sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile who averages 4.20 digs per set, ranking her seventh in the conference. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage ranks second in the GAC in blocks, averaging 1.11 per set. She also ranks second in conference in service aces (0.48 per set).
As a team, Harding ranks first in the GAC in digs (17.98 per set). The Lady Bisons rank second in hitting percentage (.214), assists (12.28 per set), kills (13.45 per set) and service aces (1.83).
Harding is coached by Meredith Fear who is in her third season at the helm.
ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO
Arkansas-Monticello is located in Monticello, Ark., and has an enrollment of 3,483.
The Cotton Blossoms head into the match with a 9-9 overall record and a 4-5 GAC record. Arkansas-Monticello is 4-4 on the road this season.
Arkansas-Monticello is coming off a 3-1 win over Ouachita Baptist at home last Thursday. Freshman outside hitter Aubrey Harrison led the Cotton Blossoms with a 16 kills and junior outside hitter Sydni Schulz had 13 kills and 17 digs.
Arkansas-Monticello is led by on the season by Schulz who averages 2.31 kills per set and 3.05 digs per set. Senior middle blocker Tasha Evans ranks third in the GAC in blocks, averaging 1.10 per set.
As a team, the Cotton Blossoms rank second in the GAC in blocks per set with a 2.10 average.
The Cotton Blossoms started their program in 2005.
Arkansas-Monticello is coached by Peter Cruz who is in his third year as head coach.
SERIES
Harding leads the series between the two teams 20-0.
When the teams met in Monticello earlier this season Harding won 3-0. Liv Savage led Harding with 10 kills. Taryn Eubank had 28 assists and 13 digs. Anna Leigh Cargile had a match-high 18 digs and sophomore defensive specialist Abigail Glosup had 11 digs.
The Lady Bisons have swept the Cotton Blossoms all but three times as Harding has only allowed Arkansas-Monticello to win four sets.
Harding is 9-0 against the Cotton Blossoms in the Rhodes Field House.
