RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – The Harding volleyball team swept Pittsburg State 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-16) on Saturday in the final match of the GAC/MIAA Challenge hosted by Arkansas Tech.

RECORDS

Harding improves to 4-8 overall while Pittsburg State falls to 0-10.

SET ONE HIGHLIGHTS

Pittsburg State took a 13-8 lead in the first set before Harding went on an 11-5 run to lead 20-19. Trailing 23-21, Lady Bisons closed the set on a 6-2 run to win 27-25.

SET TWO HIGHLIGHTS

Up 16-15 Harding went on a 9-3 run to win the second set 25-18. During their run, the Lady Bisons forced four Pittsburg State attack errors.

SET THREE HIGHLIGHTS

The Gorillas jumped out to a 7-5 lead in the third set before the Lady Bisons got things going. Harding went on a 10-2 run to lead 15-9. Pittsburg State scored the next four points to pull within two, 15-13. The Lady Bisons closed the set on a 10-2 run to win the set 25-16 and the match. Harding had six kills during its final run.

TEAM STATS

Harding hit .288 in the match and had 13 attack errors.

The Lady Bisons forced 18 Pittsburg State attack errors as they held the Gorillas to hitting .147.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Harding was led by senior outside hitter Molly Howard who had 11 kills. Junior middle blocker Sara Smith had 10 kills and hit .556 in the match with no attack errors.

Freshman setter Rachel Heussner had a season-high 29 assists and 11 digs. It was her first double-double of her career.

Pittsburg State was led by Maggie Highberger who had seven kills. Ashlen Schwartz had 12 digs to lead the Gorillas defense.

UP NEXT

Harding will continue Great American Conference action on Tuesday when it travels to Russellville, Arkansas to face Arkansas Tech at 6 p.m.