ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The seventh-ranked Harding volleyball team defeated Ouachita Baptist 3-1 (25-16, 23-25, 25-17, 25-17) Tuesday in the Great American Conference Tournament.
With one more win, Harding will seal the No. 1 seed in the GAC Tournament which earns a bye.
It is the third time in the NCAA era (since 1997) the Lady Bisons have started the season 8-0. The last time was in 2017 when Harding started 11-0.
Harding improves to 8-0 overall and 8-0 in the GAC.
Ouachita Baptist falls to 3-6 overall and 3-6 in the GAC.
FIRST SET
Leading 11-10 in the first set, Harding went on a 5-0 run on four kills to lead 16-10. Leading 18-15, the Lady Bisons went on a 7-1 run on seven kills, four by Ally Stoner and three by Logan Smith to win the set 25-16.
SECOND SET
With the second set tied at 18, Ouachita Baptist scored the next four points to lead 22-18. Harding battled back to tie the set at 23 but a kill and a Harding attack error gave the Tigers the set 25-23. Each team had 12 kills in the set.
THIRD SET
Leading 12-10 in the third set, Harding went on a 9-3 run on five kills and two service aces to lead 21-13. Harding had back-to-back kills to win the set 25-17.
FOURTH SET
Leading 12-11 in the fourth set, Harding went on a 10-3 run on five kills to lead 22-14. A kill by Chloe Ingersoll gave Harding the set 25-17. The Lady Bisons had 16 kills in the set.
STATS
Harding
- Harding had 58 kills, 25 attack errors and hit .190.
- Logan Smith led Harding with a season-high 19 kills and a season-high 24 digs. She also hit .385 in the match.
- Ally Stoner had 14 kills and five blocks for Harding.
- Sarah Morehead captured a double-double with 32 assists and 11 digs.
- Katherine Cowart had 22 digs for Harding.
Ouachita Baptist
- Ouachita Baptist had 35 kills, 24 attack errors and hit .066 in the match.
- EJ Day led the Tigers with 16 kills.
- Lexie Castillow led the Ouachita Baptist defense with 26 digs.
UP NEXT
Harding will play its regular season finale next Tuesday at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House. The Lady Bisons will host Arkansas Tech and first serve is at 6 p.m.