SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. – The Harding volleyball team defeated Western New Mexico 3-0 (25-22, 27-25, 28-26) and Malone 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-21) Friday in the first round of the Westminster College Tournament.

Harding improves to 7-0 to start the season. It is only the second time in the NCAA era (since 1997) the Lady Bisons have started the season 7-0.

WESTERN NEW MEXICO MATCH

STATS

Harding

-          Harding was led by Zoe Hardin and Emma Reeves who each had 12 kills and both hit over .300

-          Hardin also had six blocks in the match.

-          Rachel Heussner had 41 assists and seven digs for the Lady Bisons

-          Harding had 11 team blocks in the match.

-          Harding held Western New Mexico to hitting under .200 in all the sets.

Western New Mexico

-          Kalie Lyle led Western New Mexico with 13 kills and eight digs.

-          Cristal Carrizoza captured a double-double with 18 assists and 14 digs.

MALONE MATCH

STATS

Harding

-          Emily Clayton led the Lady Bisons with 11 kills.

-          Zoe Hardin had 10 kills and five blocks.

-          Taylor Lake and Taylor Eubank each had 12 digs in the match.

-          Harding had over 12 kills in each of the sets.

-          The Lady Bisons held Malone to hitting -.036 and forced 11 attack errors in the first set.

Malone

-          Veronica Gehring led Malone with 13 kills.

-          Mallory Adams led the defense with 10 digs.

QUOTE

Head Coach Meredith Fear: "We had two quality matches today. We had to spread the ball and use our versatility to get the wins. We did a good job closing out close matches. Hoping for more of the same tomorrow."

UP NEXT

Harding will wrap up the tournament Saturday when it takes on West Alabama at 11 a.m. and Westminster at 3 p.m. Both match times are Central Standard Time.