SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team defeated Southern Nazarene 3-1 (21-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-16) Friday in Great American Conference action at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.

With a Southeastern Oklahoma loss at Arkansas-Monticello Friday, Harding sealed its spot in the GAC Tournament in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Nov. 8-10.

The Lady Bisons improve to 15-7 overall and 9-1 in the GAC. They remain tied with Southwestern Oklahoma atop of the GAC standings.

Southern Nazarene falls to 13-13 overall and 5-5 in the GAC.

Harding has won 11 of its last 12 matches. The Lady Bisons improve its home record to 6-0.

FIRST SET

Southern Nazarene took a 10-3 lead in the first set. Harding then pulled within one 14-13 after a 10-3 run. Leading 22-21, the Crimson Storm won the last three points to win the set, 25-21. Southern Nazarene had 15 kills in the set and forced seven Harding attack errors.

SECOND SET

Leading 7-6 in the second set, Harding went on a 6-1 run to lead 13-7. Southern Nazarene battled back to pull within three 22-19 but three straight points gave Harding the set win 25-19. Harding hit .310 in the set.

THIRD SET

Harding jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the third set until Southern Nazarene battled back to pull within three 21-18. A kill by Rachel Heussner gave Harding the set 25-21. Harding had 15 kills in the set.

FOURTH SET

Harding took a 17-9 lead in the fourth set and after a 6-1 run by Southern Nazarene won the set 25-16 on a 7-1 run. Harding had 11 kills and forced the Crimson Storm to hitting .089 and seven attack errors.

STATS

Harding

-          Zoe Hardin had 14 kills and eight blocks for Harding.

-          Madison Poen captured a double-double with 12 kills and 16 digs.

-          Rachel Heussner had 43 assists and nine digs.

-          Taylor Eubank had 19 digs, Taylor Lake had 18 and Katherine Cowart had 13.

-          Harding had 11.5 team blocks in the match. It was the fifth time the Lady Bisons have had over 10 in a match this season.

Southern Nazarene

-          Bailee Turang, the GAC kills leader, had 17 kills and 15 digs.

-          Meagan Ellis had 11 kills and 14 digs

-          Logan Matthews had 22 digs.

UP NEXT

Harding will host Oklahoma Baptist Saturday at 3 p.m., at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.