SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team swept Arkansas-Monticello 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-18) on Thursday in Great American Conference action.

RECORDS

Harding improves to 5-9 overall and 2-1 in the GAC. Arkansas-Monticello falls to 6-4 overall and 1-2 in the GAC.

SET ONE HIGHLIGHTS

Trailing 7-5 in the first set, Harding went on a 10-3 run on four kills by Molly Howard and three kills by Sara Smith. Arkansas-Monticello battled back to pull within two, 23-21 but the Lady Bisons scored the next two points to win the set 25-21 and take a 1-0 lead in the match.

SET TWO HIGHLIGHTS

Harding overcame a 6-4 deficit in the second set and took an 11-9 lead on a 5-2 run. Trailing 17-16, the Lady Bisons went on a 9-2 run to take the set 25-19. Harding have five kills during its last run.

SET THREE HIGHLIGHTS

Tied at 11 in the third set, Harding went on a 6-0 run on four kills to lead 17-11. Arkansas-Monticello tried to battle its way back into the set but the Lady Bisons had two straight kills by Taylor Mounts to win the set (25-18) and the match.

TEAM STATS

Harding hit .198 in the match with 43 kills. The Lady Bisons had two players in double-figure kills.

Arkansas-Monticello hit .157 with 33 kills and 14 attack errors.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Harding was led by senior outside hitter Molly Howard and junior middle blocker Sara Smith who each had 12 kills. Howard captured her fifth double-double of her career adding 11 digs. Smith hit a season-high .647 in the match. She only had one attack error. It was the highest hitting percentage by a Lady Bison this season who had 10 or more kills.

Junior setter Abigail Glosup captured her eighth double-double of her career with 18 assists and 13 digs.

Junior defensive specialist Anna Leigh Cargile led the defense with 17 digs and freshman outside hitter Madison Poen had 11 digs. It was the seventh time this season Poen has had 10 or more digs.

Arkansas-Monticello was led by senior outside hitter Sydni Schulz who had 10 kills and 10 digs. Senior defensive specialist Lani Kaiwi led the Blossoms defense with 17 digs.

QUOTE

Harding Head Coach Meredith Fear: "I'm proud of how the team played tonight. We controlled the match and had a well balanced offense. Our middles connected well and our defense and serve receive was steady. We will need that momentum facing tough opponents next week. "

UP NEXT

Harding will continue GAC action on Tuesday when it hosts Ouachita Baptist at 6 p.m., at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.