SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team defeated Southern Arkansas 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-18) in Great American Conference action on Thursday at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons improved to 7-3 on the season and 2-0 in GAC play.
It was the 25th straight home win for Harding which is the second longest home winning streak in Harding history. The Lady Bisons won 36 straight from 2003-2005. It also marked the 32nd straight GAC win, dating back to the 2011 season.
Harding was led by senior setter Taryn Eubank who had a season-high 10 kills and 29 assists and nine digs. It was her sixth double-double of the season and the 24th of her career. Senior outside hitter Marindia Turner had 10 kills for Harding.
The Lady Bisons defense was led by sophomore defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile who had 18 digs.
Southern Arkansas (0-10, 0-2 GAC) was led by sophomore middle hitter Logan Tolbert who had 11 kills. Sophomore defensive specialist Hannah Rice led the Lady Mulerider defense with 17 digs.
Harding jumped out to a 7-1 run in the first set until Southern Arkansas went on a 10-4 run to pull within one (12-11). The Lady Bisons then went on a 4-2 run to lead 17-13 but the Lady Muleriders battled back on a service error, attack error and a service ace to pull within one again (17-16). Harding took over the set on three straight kills as they went on an 8-4 run to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set stayed close until the Lady Bisons closed the set on a 4-2 run after being tied at 21. Harding had three kills and then forced a service error to win the set.
Southern Arkansas took a 6-2 lead in the third set before Harding battled back to tie the set at seven as they forced two attack errors and a service error. The Lady Muleriders then went on a 6-0 run to take a 16-9 lead. Harding mounted a comeback on a 13-5 run to take a 22-21 lead. The teams exchanged points before Harding forced two Southern Arkansas errors to capture the set and win the match. The teams tied eight times in the set.
The Lady Bisons will be back in action next Tuesday as they travel to Russellville, Ark., to face Arkansas Tech in GAC Action at 6 p.m.
