SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team defeated Arkansas Tech 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 28-26) on Tuesday in Great American Conference action. It was the Golden Suns' first conference loss of the season and it snapped an Arkansas Tech 23-match conference win streak.
After the match, Harding honored lone senior Molly Howard for her contributions to the Harding volleyball program.
RECORDS
Harding improves to 15-14 overall and 9-6 in the GAC. Arkansas Tech falls to 24-6, 14-1 GAC.
SET ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Arkansas Tech jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the first set before Harding battled back to lead 13-10 on a 9-1 run. Zoe Hardin and Emily Clayton each had two kills each for Harding during its run. The Golden Suns climbed back into the set with an 8-2 run to lead 21-17. The Lady Bisons couldn't overcome the deficit as they dropped the set 25-22.
SET TWO HIGHLIGHTS
With Arkansas Tech leading 20-18, Harding went on a 7-0 run on six kills to win the set 25-20. The Lady Bisons had 15 kills in the set and hit .344.
SET THREE HIGHLIGHTS
Harding took a 13-5 lead in the third set and fought off a Arkansas Tech comeback as they lead the rest of the way to win the set 25-22. The Lady Bisons only had two attack errors in the set as they hit .306.
SET FOUR HIGHLIGHTS
The fourth set had 15 lead changes. Trailing 21-18, Harding scored three straight points to tie the set at 21. The teams exchanged the lead for the next eight points. With the set tied at 26, the Lady Bisons had a kill by Emily Clayton and a block by Sara Smith and Clayton to get the win 28-26.
TEAM STATS
Harding sealed up a spot in the GAC Tournament last week. The Lady Bisons have one conference matche remaining to fight for what seed they will be in the upcoming tournament held in Hot Springs, Arkansas Nov. 19-21. Currently Harding is in fifth place in the GAC standings. Arkansas Tech sits atop the GAC standings and they sealed the No.1 seed in the tournament.
Harding had 59 kills in the match and had three players finish in double figures. The Lady Bisons hit .289.
The Lady Bisons also had 78 digs and 11 team blocks.
Arkansas Tech had 54 kills and hit .181.
The lead changed hands 27 times in the match.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Harding was led by freshman middle blocker Zoe Hardin who had 15 kills and hit .467. She also had nine blocks. Freshman outside hitter Emily Clayton had 13 kills and senior outside hitter Molly Howard had 12 kills.
Junior defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile had 19 digs to lead the defense. Junior defensive specialist Bianca Trevino had 14 digs and freshman defensive specialist Taylor Lake had 12.
Junior setter Abigail Glosup had a career-high 54 assists in the match for Harding. She also had eight digs and two blocks.
Arkansas Tech was led by freshman outside hitter Hunter Eshnaur who had 15 kills. Madison Nagel led the Golden Sun defense with 21 digs.
QUOTE
Harding Head Coach Meredith Fear: "Tonight was a great, high level match. We knew we would need to play a well-rounded volleyball to get a win against Tech. They are a very balance team but we were able to generate a varied offense and be successful across the board. Our defense played extremely tough both on the block and dig."
UP NEXT
Harding will wrap up its regular season on Thursday when it travels to Arkansas-Monticello. First serve is at 6 p.m.
