SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team had to come from behind again as it defeated Arkansas Tech 3-2 (20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22, 16-14) Thursday in Great American Conference action at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.
Harding improves to 14-8 overall and 10-4 in the GAC. The win marks the sixth straight year Harding has won 10 or more conference matches in a season.
The Lady Bisons have already sealed their spot in the GAC Tournament held Nov. 18-20 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Harding will be fighting for seeding the rest of the regular season.
Arkansas Tech falls to 17-7 overall and 11-3 in the GAC.
FIRST SET
Trailing 16-15 in the first set, Harding went on a 3-0 run to lead 18-16. Arkansas Tech then went on an 8-1 run to lead 24-19. A kill by Kaitlyn Bradley gave the Golden Suns the set 25-20. Each team had seven attack errors in the set.
SECOND SET
Tied at 10 in the second set, Harding went on an 8-2 run on four kills to lead 18-12. The Lady Bisons held on and won the set 25-18. Harding had 18 kills in the set led by Kelli McKinnon who had six. The Lady Bisons also hit .306 with only three attack errors.
THIRD SET
The third set was back and forth throughout. Trailing 23-22, Arkansas Tech scored the next three points on two kills and a block to win the set 25-23. Harding had 16 kills in the set led by Libby Hinton who had six. Arkansas Tech forced six Harding service errors in the set.
FOURTH SET
Trailing 6-3 in the fourth set, Harding went on a 11-4 run on eight kills to lead 14-10. Arkansas Tech battled back and tied the set at 16. The Lady Bisons quickly went on a 5-0 run on three kills and two blocks to lead 21-16. Leading 24-22, Harding won the set off a service error. The Lady Bisons had 17 kills led by Ally Stoner who had five.
FIFTH SET
Trailing 9-7 in the fifth set, Harding went on a 6-2 run on six kills to lead 13-11. Arkansas Tech battled back to tie the set at 14 but the Lady Bisons had back-to-back kills to win 16-14. Harding had 13 kills in the set and hit .312.
STATS
Harding
- Harding's 70 kills were the most by the Lady Bisons since they had 73 against Northwestern Oklahoma at home in 2019.
- Harding had five players in double-figure kills. Ally Stoner led the Lady Bisons with 16. Skyler McKinnon and Libby Hinton each had 15 kills, Kelli McKinnon had 14 kills and Logan Smith had 10 kills.
- The Lady Bisons also had a season-high 104 digs with four Harding players in double-figures. Emma Winiger led the Lady Bisons with 29 digs. Logan Smith and Ally Stoner each captured a double-double to go along with their kills. Smith had 29 digs and Stoner had 18. Kinley Schnell also had 18 digs.
- Sarah Morehead had a season-high 60 assists. She also had three blocks.
Arkansas Tech
- Arkansas Tech had 54 kills, 23 attack errors and hit .160.
- Tymber Riley captured a double-double for the Golden Suns with 19 kills and 16 digs.
- Arkansas Tech had 109 digs in the match led by Madison Grantham who had 26.
UP NEXT
The Lady Bisons will play their final home match of the season when it hosts Southern Arkansas at 6 p.m., on senior night.
