HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Harding volleyball team defeated Lees-McRae (25-15, 25-17, 25-19) but fell to host team Alabama-Huntsville (25-21, 17-25, 25-21, 26-24) Saturday on the final day of the Alabama-Huntsville Invitational.
Harding moves to 3-1 on the season.
Lees-McRae falls to 0-4 on the season and Alabama-Huntsville improves to 3-0.
It was the first meeting between Lees-McRae and Harding. Lees-McRae is Division II school from Banner Elk, N.C. and is in the Carolinas Conference.
LEES-MCRAE MATCH
FIRST SET
Trailing 7-5 in the first set, Harding went on a 5-0 run on two kills to lead 10-7. The Lady Bisons took a 17-11 lead when it went on a 5-1 run. Harding had back-to-back kills to win the set 25-18. Harding hit .410 in the set and Logan Smith had six kills. Katherine Cowart had eight digs for Harding.
SECOND SET
Tied at seven in the second set, Harding went on a 11-1 run on nine kills to lead 18-8. The Lady Bisons went on to win the set 25-17. Harding hit .517 in the set and Ally Stoner had six kills.
THIRD SET
Tied at 11 in the third set, Harding took an 18-12 lead when it went on a 7-1 run on four service aces. Lees-McRae battled back to pull within two, 20-18 but Harding closed the set on a 5-1 run to win 25-19. Amber Robin had three service aces for Harding.
STATS
Harding
- Ally Stoner had a season-high 12 kills for Harding. Emily Smith and Logan Smith each had 11 kills. Stoner hit .571 in the match and Emily and Logan each hit .476.
- Katherine Cowart had a season-high 17 digs.
- Amber Robin had four service aces.
- Arika Johnson had a season-high 39 assists.
- Harding hit a season-high .398 in the match.
Lees-McRae
- Lex Zangari led Lees-McRae with seven kills.
- Lees-McRae hit .188 in the match.
ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE MATCH
FIRST SET
Alabama-Huntsville jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the first set. Harding battled back to pull within two 22-20 but Alabama-Huntsville won the set 25-21.
SECOND SET
Leading 8-7 in the second set, Harding went on an 8-1 run to lead 16-8. The Lady Bisons took the set 25-17. Harding hit .302 with Ally Stoner and Emily Smith each having six kills. Katherine Cowart had nine digs for Harding. Alabama-Huntsville was held to hitting .114 in the set.
THIRD SET
The third set stayed close in the opening points until Alabama-Huntsville went on a 3-0 run to lead 14-9. Harding battled back to cut the lead to two, 22-20 but three kills gave Alabama-Huntsville the 25-21 set win.
FOURTH SET
Trailing 18-15, Harding battled back and eventually tied the set at 23. Alabama-Huntsville had a kill to give them a 24-23 lead but a kill by Harding's Kelli McKinnon tied the set at 24. Back-to-back kills gave Alabama-Huntsville the 26-24 set win. Alabama-Huntsville had 18 digs in the set.
STATS
Harding
- Emily Smith led Harding with 15 kills and three blocks.
- Ally Stoner had 11 kills, six digs and a three blocks.
- Katherine Cowart had a career-high 29 digs in the match.
- Arika Johnson had 21 assists and 15 digs for Harding.
Alabama-Huntsville
- Abby Brooks led Alabama-Huntsville with 13 kills and five digs.
- Alabama-Huntsville had 87 digs with six players in double-figures.
- Sabrina Duncan had 32 assists and 10 digs.
UP NEXT
Harding will be back in action next weekend when it takes part in the Hilton Garden Inn Classic hosted by Texas Woman's in Denton, Texas. The Lady Bisons will open the classic against Eastern New Mexico Friday at 2 p.m.
