SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team will continue Great American Conference play on Thursday as they host Southern Arkansas at 7 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 6-3 overall record and a 1-0 GAC record.
Harding
The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 24-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 3-1 non-conference win over Arkansas-Fort Smith on Tuesday. It was the Lady Bisons first home match of the season. Harding is 16-3 in home openers since joining the NCAA in 1997.
The Lady Bisons opened GAC play last Tuesday as they defeated Arkansas-Monticello 3-0 on the road. It marked the 31st consecutive GAC win for Harding and the 13th straight win on the road. The Lady Bisons have not lost a conference regular season match since the end of 2011 season.
Harding ranks first in the GAC in service aces (1.75 aps) and digs (17.53 dps). The Lady Bisons rank second in kills (13.38 kps).
Harding is led by senior outside hitter Marindia Turner who averages 3.22 kills per set which ranks third in the GAC and 2.78 digs per set. Senior setter Taryn Eubank averages 10.41 assists per set which ranks first in the GAC and 2.91 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Sara Smith leads the GAC in hitting with a .375 percentage.
The Lady Bisons defense is led by sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile who averages 3.53 digs, ranking her ninth in the GAC. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage leads Harding at the net averaging 1.21 blocks per set. She also ranks second in service aces averaging 0.53 per set.
Harding is coached by Meredith Fear who is in her third season.
Southern Arkansas
Southern Arkansas heads into the match with a 0-9 overall record and a 0-1 GAC record.
It will be the third road match for the Lady Muleriders this season.
Southern Arkansas is led by Amanda Monge who averages 2.66 kills. Hailey McNee averages 2.03 kills per set and 2.21 digs per set.
The Lady Muleriders are coming off the Texas A&M-Commerce Tournament this past weekend. Southern Arkansas went 0-4 in the tournament.
The Lady Muleriders have gone to five sets three times this season, including their conference match against Ouachita Baptist.
Southern Arkansas is coached by Steven Gream who is in his fifth season at the helm.
Series
Harding leads the series between the two teams 41-27.
The Lady Bisons have won the last 20 meetings which dates back to the 2003 season.
Southern Arkansas has only won four times since Harding joined the NCAA in 1997.
The Lady Bisons lead the series in Searcy 14-1. The last time the Lady Muleriders won in Searcy was in 1997 (3-0).
