HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Harding volleyball team defeated Montevallo (25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 17-25, 15-13) and West Georgia 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 26-24) Friday on the first day of the Alabama-Huntsville Invitational.

Harding improves to 2-0 on the season.

Montevallo and West Georgia both fall to 0-1 on the season.

MONTEVALLO MATCH

FIRST SET

Montevallo took a 14-8 lead in the first set before Harding went on an 8-1 run to lead 16-15. The Lady Bisons took five of the next eight points and went on to win the set, 25-20.

SECOND SET

Harding jumped out to a 12-6 lead in the second set. Montevallo battled back to pull within two, 21-19. Harding scored the next three points and then took the set 25-21.

THIRD SET

Harding took a 9-4 lead in the third set until Montevallo took a 11-10 lead. Down 22-18, Montevallo went on a 7-0 run to take the set 25-22.

FOURTH SET

Montevallo took a 7-0 lead in the fourth set and then went on to win the set 25-17.

FIFTH SET

With the fifth set tied at 10, Harding had back-to-back kills and a block to lead 13-10. Montevallo battled back to make it 14-13 but a kill by Ally Stoner gave the Lady Bisons the win.

STATS

Harding

-          Emily Smith had a career-high in kills (18), hitting percentage (.500) and blocks (11).

-          Logan Smith made her Harding debut with 13 kills and 15 digs.

-          Kinley Schnell made her Harding debut with 21 digs and five service aces.

-          Katherine Cowart had 13 digs for Harding and two service aces.

-          Kelli McKinnon made her Harding debut with eight kills and six blocks.

Montevallo

-          Evelina Teran led Montevallo with 15 kills. She also had nine digs.

-          Desiree Rodriguez had 12 kills.

-          Skyler Sieber had 18 digs.

WEST GEORGIA MATCH

FIRST SET

Harding jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first set and didn't allow West Georgia to get any closer than four the rest of the way as the Lady Bisons won 25-17. Harding held West Georgia to hitting .077 in the set.

SECOND SET

The second set stayed close until Harding went on a 3-0 run to lead 22-16. The Lady Bisons closed the set on a 3-0 run on two kills and a service ace. Harding held West Georgia to hitting .031 in the set.

THIRD SET

Leading 11-10 in the third set West Georgia went on a 5-0 run to lead 16-10. Trailing 21-15, Harding went on a 7-1 run to pull within one 22-21. Facing set point, the Lady Bisons scored the next four points to win the set 26-24. Harding hit .211 in the set.

STATS

Harding

-          Emily Smith led Harding with eight kills.

-          Ally Stoner had seven kills.

-          Katherine Cowart led the defense with 12 digs.

-          Harding held West Georgia to hitting .127.

West Georgia

-          Tierra White led West Georgia with eight kills and four blocks.

-          Emilee Harris had 10 digs to lead the defense.

-          West Georgia had six blocks.

QUOTE

Harding head coach Meredith Fear, "The team showed a lot of fight and heart today. We gutted out two wins and will keep looking towards playing better volleyball everyday."

UP NEXT

Harding will wrap up the UAH Invitational Saturday when it takes on Lees-McRae at 9 a.m. and host team Alabama-Huntsville at 3 p.m.