SEARCY - The Harding volleyball team swept Southern Nazarene 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 28-26) on Friday in Great American Conference action at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House. The two teams were tied for third in the GAC standings heading into the match and after the win Harding moves into a three-way tie for second place (Ouachita and Arkansas Tech).
RECORDS
Harding improves to 16-6 overall and 7-3 in the GAC. Southern Nazarene falls to 11-9 overall and 6-4 in the GAC.
SET ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Harding jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the first set on seven kills. After a 6-0 run by Southern Nazarene, the Lady Bisons scored seven of the next eight points to lead 20-10. Harding closed the set on a 4-0 run on two kills, a service ace and a block. Harding had 14 kills and hit .270 in the set.
SET TWO HIGHLIGHTS
Harding started the second set with a 5-0 run, forcing three Southern Nazarene attack errors. The Crimson Storm hung around until the Lady Bisons went on a 5-1 run to lead 17-10. Harding only allowed Southern Nazarene to score five more points as the Lady Bisons won the set 25-15. The Lady Bisons forced seven Crimson Storm attack errors and held Southern Nazarene to hitting .086.
SET THREE HIGHLIGHTS
The third set started again with a 4-0 run by Harding until Southern Nazarene went on a 6-0 run to lead 6-4. Trailing 12-10, the Lady Bisons went on a 7-1 run to lead 17-13. The Crimson Storm battled back to tie the match at 18 on a 5-1 run. Southern Nazarene had two set points and Harding came back to tie the set each time. With the set tied at 26, Harding had kills by Alex Nolan and Zoe Hardin to win the set 28-26. Southern Nazarene had 10 attack errors in the set and Harding had 14 kills. Southern Nazarene was awarded two yellow cards before the set began, one for delay in turning a lineup and the second was a delay of game. Harding was awarded a point because of the cards.
TEAM STAT
It was Harding's fifth straight win at home.
Harding had 41 kills, 11 attack errors and hit .261.
The Lady Bisons held Southern Nazarene to 33 kills, 25 attack errors and hitting .068.
Harding had eight team blocks in the set and 53 digs.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Harding was led by Zoe Hardin who had 10 kills, hit .479 and five blocks. Alex Nolan added nine kills and 12 digs for the Lady Bisons.
The Lady Bisons were led on defense by Taylor Lake who had 14 kills. Madison Poen added 12 digs.
Southern Nazarene was led by McKayla Benner who had 10 kills. Elyse Berlin led the defense with 14 digs.
QUOTE
Harding head coach Meredith Fear: "The team played a well rounded, hard fought match. We were able to spread the ball well offensively because our serve receive was on point. We will need to continue that tomorrow to get another win and be in the running for first place in the GAC."
UP NEXT
Harding will continue GAC action on Saturday when it takes on Oklahoma Baptist who defeated Arkansas Tech 3-2 on Friday to take over sole possession of first place in the GAC standings. First serve is at 2 p.m., at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.
