SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team will travel to Russellville, Ark., on Tuesday to face Arkansas Tech in Great American Conference action at 6 p.m. The Lady Bisons head into the match with a 7-3 overall record and a 2-0 GAC record.
Harding
Harding is coming off a 3-0 GAC win over Southern Arkansas on Thursday. It marked the 32nd consecutive GAC win for Harding. The Lady Bisons haven't lost a conference regular season match since the end of 2011 season.
Harding has won 13 straight on the road, dating back to the 2012 season. The Lady Bisons have won their last three matches as they have only given up one set.
Harding ranks first in the GAC in service aces (1.74 aps) and digs (17.57 dps). The Lady Bisons rank second in hitting (.224), assists (12.51), and kills (13.49).
Harding is led by senior outside hitter Marindia Turner who averages 3.23 kills per set which ranks second 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. She also ranks third in GAC in hitting (.358) and averages 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 3.74 digs, ranking her eighth in the GAC. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage leads Harding at the net averaging 1.14 blocks per set, ranking second in the GAC. She also ranks second in service aces averaging 0.51 per set.
Harding is coached by Meredith Fear who is in her third season.
Arkansas Tech
Arkansas Tech heads into the match with a 7-4 overall record and a 3-0 GAC record. The Golden Suns have beat Henderson State (3-0), Ouachita Baptist (3-0) and Northwestern Oklahoma (3-1).
Arkansas Tech is 2-1 at home this season. The Golden Suns only loss came against Lubbock Christian (3-1) last Friday.
Arkansas Tech ranks first in the GAC in assists (12.93) and kills (13.64).
The Golden Suns are led by senior outside hitter Emily Todd who averages 3.02 kills (5th in the GAC) and 2.67 digs. Arkansas Tech's defense is led by freshman defensive specialist Madison Nagel who ranks first in the GAC in digs averaging 5.19 per set.
The Golden Suns are coached by Kristy Bayer who is in her 11th season.
Series
Arkansas Tech leads the series between the two teams 42-37.
The last time the two teams met was in the finals of the GAC Tournament last season. The Golden Suns won 3-0. Harding won the previous five meetings before last year's tournament finals.
In the three years of the GAC, either Harding or Arkansas Tech has won the regular season championship and the tournament championship.
Since Harding has joined the NCAA in 1997, Harding has a 9-10 record in Russellville.
