ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Harding volleyball team defeated Ouachita 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-12) on Thursday in Great American Conference action for its second straight win.

RECORDS

Harding improves to 13-13 overall and 7-5 in the GAC. Ouachita falls to 12-9 overall and 6-6 in the GAC.

SET ONE HIGHLIGHTS

Trailing 19-17, Harding went on a 6-0 run to lead 23-19. Ouachita scored the next three points to pull within one 23-22. The Lady Bisons had a kill by Taylor Mounts and a service ace by Taylor Lake to get the win. Harding had 15 kills in the set.

SET TWO HIGHLIGHTS

Harding took a 15-11 lead in the second set until Ouachita went on a 10-3 run to lead 21-18. The Lady Bisons pulled within two 24-23 on kills by Molly Howard and Taylor Mounts but a Tiger block gave them the set. Harding had 17 kills in the set and hit .400.

SET THREE HIGHLIGHTS

Ouachita took a 15-10 lead in the third set. Harding battled back and pulled within one 16-15 on two kills by Sara Smith. The teams exchanged the next few points and with Ouachita up 21-20, the Tigers went on a 4-0 run to take the set.

SET FOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Ouachita jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the fourth set until Harding went on a 13-5 run to lead 17-14. The Lady Bisons held off a Ouachita comeback to win the set 25-20.

SET FIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Harding took an early 6-2 lead in the fifth set and held on as they defeated Ouachita 15-12.

TEAM STATS

Harding had a season-high 66 kills in the match and hit .275. Four Lady Bisons finished in double-figure kills.

Harding had 13 team blocks in the match. It was the ninth time this season it has had over 10 blocks in a match.

Ouachita had 59 kills and Harding forced 23 Tiger attack errors.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Harding was led by junior middle blocker Sara Smith and senior outside hitter Molly Howard who each had 16 kills. Howard captured a double-double as she added 17 digs. She also tied a career-high with six blocks. Freshman middle blocker Zoe Hardin had 14 kills and nine blocks. Freshman outside hitter Emily Clayton added 12 kills for Harding.

The Lady Bisons defense was led by junior defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile who had 22 digs.

Ouachita was led by Abby Pickett who had 17 kills. Caitlin Cantrell had 13 kills. Ashley Wake led the defense with 19 digs.

QUOTE

Harding Head Coach Meredith Fear: "It's never easy to go play Ouachita in their gym. They had a great crowd and played well rounded volleyball. I was proud of our team's ability to overcome adversity and play better as the match went on. Our setters spread the ball well and our defense played with heart."

UP NEXT

Harding will be back in action on Tuesday when it hosts Southern Arkansas at 6 p.m., at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.