SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team will continue non-conference action on Tuesday as they host Arkansas-Fort Smith at 7 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House in its home opener. The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 5-3 record.
Harding
Harding is 15-2 in home openers since joining the NCAA in 1997.
The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 23 match home winning streak. The last time Harding lost was in 2011 against Arkansas Tech (3-2). It is the second longest home winning streak in Harding history. The Lady Bisons won 36 straight from 2003-2005.
Harding is coming off a weekend trip to Texas. The Lady Bisons played three matches in Wichita Falls on the campus of Midwestern State. Harding fell to Tarleton State (3-2) and No. 20 Angelo State (3-0) but bounced back to defeat Midwestern State 3-0.
Harding is led by senior outside hitter Marindia Turner who averages 3.14 kills per set and 2.50 digs per set. Senior setter Taryn Eubank averages 10.21 assists per set and 2.68 digs.
The Lady Bisons defense is led by sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile who averages 3.29 digs. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage leads Harding at the net averaging 1.21 blocks per set.
Harding is coached by Meredith Fear who is in her third season.
Arkansas-Fort Smith
Arkansas-Fort Smith, a NCAA Division II member of the Heartland Conference, heads into the game with a 9-2 record.
The Lady Lions are coming off a 3-1 weekend at the Texas A&M-Commerce Invitational. Arkansas-Fort Smith defeated Great American Conference member Southern Arkansas (3-0), Texas Woman's (3-1) and Texas A&M-Commerce (3-1).
The Lady Lions are led by senior outside hitter Michelle Walker who averages 4.32 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Katarina Krstonosic averages 2.95 kills and 3.97 digs for Arkansas-Fort Smith.
The defense is led by Emily Tripp who averages 5.87 digs.
Arkansas-Fort Smith averages 13.7 kills per set and 21.1 digs per set. They also average 2.2 blocks per set.
The Lady Lions are coached by Jane Sargent who is in her 17th season.
Series
Arkansas-Fort Smith leads the series between the two teams 3-1.
The Lady Lions won the first three meetings before Harding won last season in Fort Smith, Ark., 3-1.
