SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team resumes Great American Conference action on Saturday as they travel to Alva, Okla., to face Northwestern Oklahoma at 11 a.m. The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 14-6 overall record and a 7-2 GAC record.
HARDING
Harding kicked off a four match road trip on Thursday as they traveled to Lyon College. The Lady Bisons walked away with a 3-0 win in Batesville, Ark. Harding was led by junior outside hitter Molly Howard who had 10 kills.
Harding is coming off a 3-0 Great American Conference win over Arkansas-Monticello 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 have already sealed a spot in the GAC Tournament held in Hot Springs, Ark., Nov. 13-15. Harding will be fighting for seeding the rest of the regular season. The Lady Bisons are currently in second place in the GAC standings.
The Lady Bisons are led on the season by Turner who averages 3.03 kills which ranks eighth in the GAC. Harding's offense is quarterbacked by senior setter Taryn Eubank who leads the GAC in assists, averaging 10.12 per set. Sophomore middle blocker Sara Smith leads the GAC in hitting with a .363 percentage.
The Lady Bisons defense is led by sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile who averages 4.21 digs per set, ranking her seventh in the conference. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage ranks third in the GAC in blocks, averaging 1.06 per set. She also ranks third in conference in service aces (0.46 per set).
As a team, Harding ranks first in the GAC in digs (17.77 per set). The Lady Bisons rank second in hitting percentage (.222), assists (12.39 per set), kills (13.54 per set) and service aces (1.63).
Harding is coached by Meredith Fear who is in her third season at the helm.
NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA
Northwestern Oklahoma is located in Alva, Okla., and has an enrollment of 2,233.
The Rangers head into the match with a 13-5 overall record and a 6-2 GAC record. Northwestern Oklahoma has won seven of its last eight matches. Their only loss was against Southern Arkansas 3-1 in Alva. It was the Rangers only loss at home (6-1).
Northwestern Oklahoma has two players that average over three kills a set. Junior outside hitter Ashanti Banks leads the Rangers averaging 3.29 kills per set and sophomore outside hitter Asia Pipkin is close behind her averaging 3.26 kills per set.
Northwestern Oklahoma's defense is led by junior defensive specialist Alina Fierro who averages 3.06 digs per set.
As a team, the Rangers rank first in the GAC in opponent hitting percentage as they hold their opponents to hitting .130.
Northwestern Oklahoma is coached by Gene Krieger who is in his second season as head coach.
SERIES
Harding leads the series between the two teams 3-0.
When the two teams met last season in Searcy, the Lady Bisons won 3-2. Taryn Eubank had a triple-double in the match with 11 kills, 32 assists and 12 digs. Molly Howard also had 10 kills.
