HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Harding volleyball team defeated Ouachita Baptist 3-1 (25-15, 25-14, 18-25, 25-22) Friday in the semifinals of the Great American Conference Tournament.
Harding advances to the tournament championship match and will face No. 3 seed Henderson State, Saturday at 2 p.m., in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The Lady Bisons improve to 24-7 overall and Ouachita Baptist ends its season with a 23-9 record.
Harding has now won 12 straight matches.
FIRST SET
Trailing 9-6, Harding went on a 10-2 run to lead 16-11. The Lady Bisons only allowed four more points as they won the set 25-15. Harding had 18 kills in the set and hit .378.
SECOND SET
Harding jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the second set. Ouachita Baptist then pulled within one 10-9 until the Lady Bisons went on a 9-2 run to lead 20-10. Harding won the set 25-14. Harding had 15 kills and hit .375 in the set and held Ouachita Baptist to hitting .133.
THIRD SET
Ouachita Baptist took an 11-8 lead in the third set until Harding tied the set at 11. The Tigers went on a 6-2 run to lead 17-13 and didn't relinquish the lead as they won set 25-18. Ouachita Baptist had 16 kills and forced nine Harding attack errors in the set.
FOURTH SET
Trailing 6-4 in the fourth set, Harding went on a 7-2 run to lead 11-8. Ouachita Baptist then battled back to tie the set at 17. Harding answered back with a 6-3 run to lead 23-20. Two kills by Madison Poen gave the Lady Bisons the set 25-22. Harding had 16 kills and hit .405 in the set.
STATS
Harding
- Zoe Hardin led Harding with 17 kills and five blocks.
- Madison Poen captured a double-double with 13 kills and 17 digs.
- Emily Clayton and Emma Reeves each had 10 kills.
- Taylor Lake led the defense with 24 digs.
- Rachel Heussner captured a double-double with 55 assists and 10 digs.
Ouachita Baptist
- Katie Camp led Ouachita Baptist with 14 kills.
- Tabatha Huckabee and Emily Low each had 12 kills.
- Julianna Mack led the defense with 17 digs.
