SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team will host Arkansas Tech on Tuesday in Great American Conference action at 7 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 17-6 overall record and a 9-2 GAC record.
HARDING
Harding has won its last five matches and its last six GAC matches. The Lady Bisons look to extend their home winning streak to 30 on Tuesday. Harding has won 29 matches, dating back to the 2011 season. It's the second longest home winning streak in Lady Bisons history. Harding won 36 straight from 2003-05.
The Lady Bisons are coming off a four match road trip. Harding defeated Lyon 3-0, Northwestern Oklahoma 3-1, Southern Arkansas 3-2 and Henderson State 3-2. The Lady Bisons improved their road record to 9-2 with the four wins. 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 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.
Tuesday night's clash will be a big match for both teams. Harding is in second place in the GAC standings and trails Arkansas Tech, who is in first place, by one and half matches. The Lady Bisons have two conference matches remaining after Tuesday. Harding will host Southwestern Oklahoma on Saturday at 11 a.m., and then travel to Ouachita Baptist on Nov. 6. Since the GAC formed in 2011, either Harding or Arkansas Tech have won the conference regular season or tournament championship.
The Lady Bisons are led on the season by junior outside hitter Marindia Turner who averages 2.99 kills and ranks eighth in the GAC. Harding's offense is quarterbacked by senior setter Taryn Eubank who ranks second in the GAC in assists, averaging 10.11 per set.
Sophomore middle blocker Sara Smith ranks second in the GAC in hitting with a .317 percentage. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage ranks fifth in the GAC in blocks, averaging 1.02 per set. She also ranks third the GAC in service aces with a 0.46 per set average.
The Lady Bisons defense is led by sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile who averages 4.25 digs per set, ranking her seventh in the conference.
As a team, Harding ranks first in the GAC in digs (18.06 per set). The Lady Bisons rank second in hitting percentage (.215), assists (12.18 per set), kills (13.35 per set) and service aces (1.54).
Harding is coached by Meredith Fear who is in her third season at the helm.
ARKANSAS TECH
Arkansas Tech, who is located in Russellville, Ark., heads into the match with a 20-5 overall record and an 11-1 GAC record. The Golden Suns have won their last 12 matches. Their only conference loss came against Southern Nazarene 3-2 in Russellville.
The Golden Suns have won their last eight road matches as they head into Searcy with a 9-1 road record.
Arkansas Tech leads the GAC in hitting percentage (.229), assists (13.19 aps), kills (14 kps) and services aces (1.64 ps).
The Golden Suns are led by senior outside hitter Emily Todd who ranks sixth in the GAC in kills averaging 3.23 per set. Senior setter Sierra Nighswonger leads the GAC in assists, averaging 10.18 per set. Freshman defensive specialist Madison Nagel also leads the GAC in digs, averaging 5.39 per set.
Arkansas Tech is coached by Kristy Bayer who is in her 11th season as head coach.
SERIES
Arkansas Tech leads the series between the two teams 43-37.
When the two teams met in Russellville, earlier this season, the Golden Suns outlasted Harding 3-2. Junior outside hitter Erica Heim and Marindia Turner each captured a double-double. Heim had 13 kills and 16 assists and Turner had 12 kills and 17 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile had 28 digs for Harding. Emily Todd had 18 kills for Arkansas Tech and Madison Nagel set a new Golden Suns record with 48 digs.
Arkansas Tech has won the last two meetings. The Golden Suns defeated Harding 3-0 in the GAC Tournament Finals last season.
Harding leads the series in Searcy 10-8. The Lady Bisons have won the last three meetings in the Rhodes Field House.
