SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team will take a break from conference action on Thursday as they travel to Batesville, Ark., to face Lyon College at 7 p.m., in non-conference action. The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 13-6 overall record.
HARDING
Harding kicks off a four match road trip on Thursday. After Thursday, the Lady Bisons will play at Northwestern Oklahoma, Southern Arkansas and Henderson State.
Harding is coming off a 3-0 Great American Conference win on Tuesday. The Lady Bisons were led by senior outside hitter Marindia Turner who had 12 kills and eight digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Abigail Glosup led the defense with 10 digs. Harding is 7-2 in GAC matches this season.
The Lady Bisons are led on the season by Turner who averages 3.14 kills which ranks tied for eighth in the GAC. Harding's offense is quarterbacked by senior setter Taryn Eubank who leads the GAC in assists, averaging 10.16 per set. She also ranks third in the GAC in hitting percentage (.313). Sophomore middle blocker Sara Smith leads the GAC in hitting with a .350 percentage.
The Lady Bisons defense is led by sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile who averages 4.15 digs per set, ranking her seventh in the conference. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage ranks third in the GAC in blocks, averaging 1.07 per set. She also ranks third in conference in service aces (0.48 per set).
As a team, Harding ranks first in the GAC in digs (17.96 per set). The Lady Bisons rank second in hitting percentage (.218), assists (12.40 per set), kills (13.54 per set) and service aces (1.61).
Harding is coached by Meredith Fear who is in her third season at the helm.
LYON
Lyon is a NAIA member of the American Midwest Conference and has an enrollment of 651.
The Scots head into the match with an 8-13 record and have won two of their last three matches. Their 3-0 loss came at Freed-Hardeman last Saturday.
Lyon is led by sophomore middle blocker Katarina Frickleton who averages 2.41 kills per set. Junior outside hitter Makenzie Sharp is close behind, averaging 2.33 kills per set.
The Scots defense is led by senior defensive specialist Halley Watson who averages 2.43 digs per set. Frickleton also leads Lyon at the net, averaging 1.01 blocks per set.
Lyon is coached by Ray Green who is in his seventh season.
SERIES
Harding leads the series between the two teams 22-0.
Since 1997, the Lady Bisons are 8-0 in Batesville.
It will be the first time the two teams have met during the regular season since 2012. Harding won 3-0 in Batesville.
