SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team defeated Arkansas-Fort Smith 3-1 (25-23, 14-25, 25-20, 25-18) on Tuesday in non-conference action at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons improve to 6-3 on the season.
It marked the 24th straight home victory for Harding dating back to the 2011 season. The Lady Bisons won 36 straight at home from 2003-05.
Harding was led by senior outside hitter Marindia Turner who had 15 kills and a career-high 19 digs. It was her fourth double-double of the season. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage had 14 kills for Harding which tied a season high. Sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile led the defense with a career-high 21 digs. Senior setter Taryn Eubank captured her fifth double-double of the season with 47 assists and a season-high 18 digs.
Arkansas-Fort Smith was led by sophomore middle blocker Payton Hamilton who had 13 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Katarina Krstonosic captured a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs. The Lady Lions defense was led by sophomore defensive specialist Emily Tripp who had 21 digs.
Harding had a season-high 87 digs in the match. The Lady Bisons also had nine service aces and seven blocks, led by Savage who had four.
Arkansas-Fort Smith jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the first set before Harding rallied with a 4-0 run on three kills and a service ace. The Lady Lions took a 15-11 lead before the Lady Bisons went on a 7-2 run to take an 18-17 lead. The teams exchanged points until Harding forced back-to-back attack errors to take a 24-22 lead. A kill by Savage gave the Lady Bisons the lead in the match.
The second set was close until the middle of the set when Arkansas-Fort Smith went on a 10-0 run and took the set 25-14.
Harding took a 17-10 lead in the third set on 10 kills. The Lady Lions tried to rally, pulling within four, 23-19, but the Lady Bisons had a kill from junior outside hitter Molly Howard and Savage to take the 2-1 lead in the match.
Harding jumped out to a 15-8 lead in the fourth set before Arkansas-Fort Smith battled back to pull within three (18-15). With a 20-17 lead, the Lady Bisons went on a 5-1 run to win the set and the match.
Harding will be back in action on Thursday as they host Southern Arkansas in Great American Conference action at 7 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House.
