RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -  Arkansas Tech won three straight sets to defeat the Harding volleyball team 3-2 (20-25, 16-25, 25-23, 25-18, 16-14) on Tuesday in Great American Conference action.

Even with the loss, the Lady Bisons move into a four-way tie for first place in the GAC standings with one match remaining. Harding, Oklahoma Baptist, Ouachita and Arkansas Tech all have a 11-4 GAC record. Ouachita and Arkansas Tech play each other on Thursday and Oklahoma Baptist travels to Southern Nazarene.

RECORDS

Harding falls to 20-7 overall and 11-4 in the GAC. Arkansas Tech improves to 21-10 overall and 11-4 in the GAC.

SET ONE HIGHLIGHTS

Arkansas Tech jumped out to a 6-3 lead in the first set until Harding battled back to take a 9-8 lead as it forced two attack errors. Leading 14-12, the Lady Bisons went on a 6-2 run to lead 20-14. The Golden Suns pulled within four 24-20 but a kill by Sara Smith gave Harding the set win.

SET TWO HIGHLIGHTS

Harding carried its momentum over into the second set as it took a 9-3 early lead. The Lady Bisons broke the set open midway through on a 4-0 run to lead 18-9. Harding went on to win the set 25-16.

SET THREE HIGHLIGHTS

Harding took a 14-9 lead in the third set until Arkansas Tech battled back to tie the set at 18. The Lady Bisons took a 23-22 lead on a service error but the Golden Suns won the next three points to keep the match alive.

SET FOUR HIGHLIGHTS

The fourth set stayed close early on until Arkansas Tech went on a 3-0 run to lead 10-6. Harding stayed within three until the Golden Suns took a 21-15 lead on another 3-0 run. The Lady Bisons couldn't overcome the deficit as Arkansas Tech won the set 25-18.

SET FIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Harding took a 12-7 lead in the fifth set until Arkansas Tech went on a 7-0 run to lead 14-12. The Lady Bisons forced a service error and a kill by Zoe Hardin evened the match at 14. The Golden Suns had back-to-back kills to win the set 16-14.

TEAM STAT

It was the first sets Harding has given up in seven matches.

The loss broke a seven match winning streak for the Lady Bisons.

Harding outhit Arkansas Tech with a .188 hitting percentage to .181. The Lady Bisons had 55 kills on 197 attempts with 18 attack errors. The Golden Suns had 71 kills on 215 attempts with 32 attack errors.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Harding was led by Alex Nolan who captured a double-double with a career high 18 kills and 12 digs. Zoe Hardin, the reigning GAC Defender of the week, had 11 kills and eight blocks in the match. Sara Smith added 10 kills.

Harding had five players in double-figure digs with Bianca Trevino having a career-high 21 digs. Taylor Lake added 17 digs and Abigail Glosup had 11 digs and added 45 assists.

Arkansas Tech was led by Kaylee Konsella who had 20 kills. Hunter Eshnaur captured a double-double with 18 kills and 20 digs. Madison Nagel led the defense with 26 digs.

UP NEXT

Harding will play its final regular season match at home on Thursday when it hosts Arkansas-Monticello in GAC action at 6 p.m., at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House. After the match, the Lady Bisons will recognize Abigail Glosup, Sara Smith and Bianca Trevino for contributions to the Harding volleyball program.