RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Harding volleyball team gave up its first set of the season but battled back to win three straight sets to defeat No. 15 Arkansas Tech 3-1 (21-25, 25-15, 30-28, 25-23) Tuesday in Great American Conference.

It was the first time the Lady Bisons defeated a ranked time since beating Nebraska-Kearney in the NCAA Tournament in 2018. Harding is 6-45 against ranked teams.

Harding, ranked 12th, improves to 4-0 overall and 4-0 in the GAC.

Arkansas Tech falls to 3-1 overall and 3-1 in the GAC.

FIRST SET

Arkansas Tech jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first set and didn't look back. Harding battled back to get within one, 21-20, but the Golden Suns won four of the next five points to win the set 25-21. It was the first set Harding had dropped this season.

SECOND SET

Harding answered back and started the second set with a 7-0 run on three service aces. Leading 21-15, the Lady Bisons won the next four points to win the set 25-15. Harding forced Arkansas Tech to 11 attack errors and held the Golden Suns to hitting -.082 in the set.

THIRD SET

Trailing 13-7 in the third set, Harding went on a 4-0 run on three kills to pull within two, 13-11. Tied at 20, the Lady Bisons had back-to-back kills to lead 22-20. Arkansas Tech battled back and to take a 28-27 lead. Two kills and an Arkansas Tech attack error gave Harding the set 30-28. The Lady Bisons had 19 kills in the set.

FOURTH SET

The fourth set stayed close until Harding took a 22-20 lead. Arkansas Tech won the next three points to lead 23-22. Two kills and a block gave the Lady Bisons the set 25-23. Harding had 16 kills and hit .240 in the set.

STATS

Harding

-          Harding had 54 kills, 24 attack errors and hit .148 in the match.

-          Logan Smith led Harding with a double-double with a season-high 15 kills and a season-high 21 digs.

-          Ally Stoner had a season-high 13 kills and hit .357. Libby Hinton had 10 kills and three blocks.

-          Sarah Morehead captured a double-double with a season-high 46 assists and a season-high 12 digs.

-          Katherine Cowart had a season-high 32 digs, one off her career high. Emma Winiger also had a season-high 18 digs.

Arkansas Tech

-          Arkansas Tech had 48 kills, 27 errors and hit .106.

-          Rilie Vote led the Golden Suns with 13 kills. Mackenzie Eford also had 10 kills.

-          Brianna Merkel captured a double-double with 38 assists and 17 digs.

-          Madison Gratham led the defense with 33 digs.

UP NEXT

Harding will travel to Arkansas-Monticello next Tuesday. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.