ST. JOSEPH, Missouri – The Harding volleyball team split on Saturday as they defeated Emporia State 3-2 (24-26,25-19,22-25,25-22,17-15) but fell to Missouri-St. Louis 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 28-26) on the final day of the Lindenwood Tournament.
RECORDS
Harding: 2-6
Emporia State: 4-3
Missouri-St. Louis: 2-6
EMPORIA STATE MATCH RECAP
The first set stayed close throughout and with it tied at 24, Emporia State scored the next two points to take the set and earn the match lead. Tied at five in the second set, Harding scored three straight points and didn't give up the lead the rest of the way as the Lady Bisons won 25-19. Harding had an early lead in the third set, 10-6, until Emporia State went on a 6-2 run to tie the set at 12. The Lady Bisons battled back to tie the set at 22 but gave up three straight points to give the Hornets the victory. The fourth set stayed close until Harding closed the set on a 3-0 run to take the victory after being tied at 22. Emporia State took a 7-4 lead in the fifth set until Harding went on a 9-3 run to lead 13-10. The Hornets then went on a 4-0 to lead 14-13. With the set tied at 15, the Lady Bisons forced two Emporia State attack errors to get the 17-15 win.
HU-ESU TEAM STATS
Harding had a season-high 61 kills and a season-high 17 team blocks. The Lady Bisons team blocks was the most since 2000 when Harding had 17 at Ouachita Baptist. The Lady Bisons also had a season-high eight block solos.
For the third time this season, Harding had 57 assists.
Emporia State had four players in double-figure kills and two players with 20 or more digs.
HU-ESU INDIVIDUAL STATS
Harding was led by senior outside hitter Molly Howard and freshman middle blocker Zoe Hardin who each had 18 kills. Howard captured a double-double adding 18 digs.
Junior setter Abigail Glosup also captured a double-double with 48 assists and tied a career-high with 18 digs.
Hardin and freshman right side hitter Emma Reeves both had five blocks in the match and four of Hardin's were a solo block.
Emporia State was led by Josie Williams who had 13 kills and 20 digs.
MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS RECAP
Missouri-St. Louis scored the last three points in the first set to win 25-21. With the second set tied at 22, the Tritons scored the next three points to win 25-22. Harding had a 26-25 lead in the third set but Missour-St. Louis scored three straight points again to win 28-26.
HU-UMSL TEAM STATS
Harding hit .207 in the match and had 49 kills.
Missouri-St. Louis had 48 kills and hit .259 with only 13 attack errors.
HU-UMSL INDIVIDUAL STATS
Harding was led by Molly Howard who had 13 kills. Zoe Hardin had 10 kills and three blocks.
Missouri-St. Louis was led by Maddy Russell who had 12 kills. The Tritons defense was led by Olivia Gillum who had 25 digs.
UP NEXT
Harding will open Great American Conference action at home on Tuesday when it hosts Henderson State at 6 p.m.
