SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team defeated Southern Nazarene 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 29-27) in Great American Conference action on Saturday at the Rhodes Field House. The Lady Bisons improve to 8-4 overall and 3-1 in the GAC.
Harding kept its winning streak at home alive as the Lady Bisons have now won 26 straight.
Harding was led by senior outside hitter Marindia Turner who had 13 kills, 16 digs and hit .324. Senior middle blocker Liv Savage had 11 kills and three blocks. The Lady Bisons defense was led by Anna Leigh Cargile who had 16 digs.
Southern Nazarene (9-4, 3-1 GAC) was led by senior middle blocker Taylor Jacobs who had nine kills and a match-high six blocks. Sophomore defensive specialist Abbey Bell led the defense with 17 digs.
Harding took a 9-5 lead in the first set before Southern Nazarene pulled within two, 12-10. The Lady Bisons then went on a 10-2 run to lead 22-12. The Crimson Storm tried to mount a comeback but Harding's lead was too much as the Lady Bisons took the set 25-17.
Harding took a commanding 9-3 lead in the second set before Southern Nazarene went on a 7-0 run to take a 10-9 lead. Trailing 12-11, the Lady Bisons rallied and went on a 7-0 to lead 18-12. After a couple Crimson Storm points, Harding went on another run (5-0) on four kills. The Lady Bisons went onto take the set 25-16.
Harding scored the first five points of the third set before Southern Nazarene had a kill and forced an attack error. The Crimson Storm hung around and pulled within one on a 4-0 run (13-12) as they had a service ace and two blocks. The Lady Bisons scored the next four points to lead 17-12. The Crimson Storm pulled within one again (19-18) on two blocks and a service ace. With the set tied at 20, Harding had two kills to lead by two, 22-20. Southern Nazarene went on a 3-0 run to take a 23-22 lead, as the teams exchanged next couple of points. After the Crimson Storm had set point (27-26) the Lady Bisons had three straight kills, two by Savage, to win the set and the match.
Harding will play its next two matches on the road as they take on East Central next Friday at 7 p.m., and Southeastern Oklahoma next Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
