SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team will travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., on Thursday to take on Henderson State at 7 p.m., in Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 16-6 overall record and a 9-2 GAC record.
HARDING
Harding kicked off a four match road trip last Thursday as they traveled to Lyon College. The Lady Bisons have then traveled to Northwestern Oklahoma and Southern Arkansas. Harding will be playing the final game on Thursday. The Lady Bisons are 3-0 during the road trip. Harding beat Lyon 3-0, beat Northwestern Oklahoma 3-1 last Saturday and then beat Southern Arkansas 3-2 on Tuesday.
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 what seed they will be the rest of the regular season. The Lady Bisons are currently in second place in the GAC standings.
Harding has won its last five matches and its last five GAC matches. The Lady Bisons are 8-2 on the road this season. Harding's road losses were both GAC matches and they came at Southeastern Oklahoma (3-1) and at Arkansas Tech (3-2).
The Lady Bisons are led on the season by Turner who averages 3.05 kills which ranks eighth in the GAC. Harding's offense is quarterbacked by Eubank who leads the GAC in assists, averaging 10.25 per set.
Sophomore middle blocker Sara Smith leads the GAC in hitting with a .340 percentage. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage ranks second in the GAC in blocks, averaging 1.08 per set. She also leads the GAC in service aces with a 0.51 per set average and ranks ninth in the GAC in kills with a 2.95 average.
The Lady Bisons defense is led by sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile who averages 4.27 digs per set, ranking her seventh in the conference.
As a team, Harding ranks first in the GAC in digs (18.26 per set). The Lady Bisons rank second in hitting percentage (.221), assists (12.46 per set), kills (13.59 per set) and service aces (1.61).
Harding is coached by Meredith Fear who is in her third season at the helm.
HENDERSON STATE
Henderson State heads into the match with a 4-21 overall record and a 0-11 GAC record. The Reddies are coming off a 3-1 win over Mississippi College at home on Tuesday. Henderson State is 2-13 at home this season.
The Reddies are led by senior middle blocker Jessica Moss who averages 3.49 kills per set, ranking her second in the GAC. Junior defensive specialist Andjela Relijic leads the defense averaging 4.68 digs per set which ranks fifth in the GAC.
Henderson State is coached by Rhonda Thigpen who is in her 25th season as head coach.
SERIES
Harding leads the series between the two teams 45-22.
When the teams met in Searcy earlier this season, Harding won 3-0. Liv Savage led Harding with 12 kills and Marindia Turner had 10 kills. Taryn Eubank had double-double with 35 assists and 10 digs.
The Lady Bisons have won the last 10 matches between the two teams.
Since Harding joined the NCAA in 1997, the Lady Bisons are 10-5 in Arkadelphia.
