SEARCY, Ark. — The Harding volleyball team completed a furious comeback from a two-set deficit to defeat Ouachita Baptist in a five-set thriller 3-2 (22-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-21, 15-13) Tuesday night at Rhodes-Reaves Field House in Great American Conference action.

The Lady Bisons (20-4, 11-2 GAC) snapped the Tigers' (22-4, 12-1 GAC) 12-match Great American Conference winning streak, significantly tightening the race at the top of the GAC standings.

Harding's last reverse sweep came last season against Illinois-Springfield in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Harding's victory was a total team effort, led by four hitters who eclipsed the 15-kill mark. Ella Drake paced the offense with a match-high 19 kills. Josie Bishop captured a double-double with 17 kills and 10 digs. Jacey Lambert had 15 kills on a team-best .364 hitting percentage, while adding four blocks. Rauly Eason also had 15 kills on a .286 hitting percentage.

Harding's 77 kills were the most in a match since the Lady Bisons had 81 against Ouachita Baptist in 2013. Harding's program record is 85 set against Central Missouri in 2004.

Setter Olivia Wiedower masterfully orchestrated the offense, posting a season-high 60 assists and adding 18 digs for a double-double. As a team, Harding had 75 assists which tied for the second most in program history. The Lady Bisons had as many two other times with the last being in 2007 against Central Oklahoma. Harding's program record is 82 set against Central Missouri in 2004.

Libero Maddie Burrough anchored the defense with a career-high 28 digs. Harding's overall defense finished with a season-high 105 digs. Avery Stanfill also had a career-high 20 digs for Harding.

At the net, Harding matched Ouachita with 10.0 total team blocks, led by Rauly Eason who recorded five blocks. Philomina Klotz and Jacey Lambert each added four blocks.

Ouachita Baptist was led offensively by Kailey Thedford and Emily Adams who each had 14 kills.

SET HIGHLIGHTS

Set 1 (Ouachita Baptist 25, Harding 22): The Tigers set the tone early. Harding battled, tying the score 7-7 on a Bishop kill, but Ouachita pulled ahead. Harding pulled within one again 22-21 following a Drake kill. However, the Tigers responded with two late kills from Riley Braziel to take the set.

Set 2 (Ouachita Baptist 25, Harding 22): Harding took an early 8-5 lead but Ouachita fought back, tying the set 10 and then taking a 13-10 lead on three consecutive Harding attack errors. Ouachita extended the lead to 23-20. Despite a late rally from the Lady Bisons, Ouachita secured the set 25-22.

Set 3 (Harding 26, Ouachita Baptist 24): The turning point. Down 8-4, Harding clawed back, tying the score at 15. Tied at 24 clutch play followed: a Lambert kill put the Lady Bisons ahead (25-24), and an Ouachita attack error sealed the dramatic 26-24 win. There were five lead changes in the set and it was tied 11 times.

Set 4 (Harding 25, Ouachita Baptist 21): Harding's momentum was unstoppable. The Lady Bisons exploded for a massive 13-4 lead behind the serving of Carter Fouche, who delivered two service aces in the run, and Harding had 10 kills. Harding's lead ballooned to 22-12, effectively putting the set out of reach. A final Ouachita attack error clinched the 25-21 win and forced the tiebreaker. Harding hit a set-best .302.

Set 5 (Harding 15, Ouachita Baptist 13): The decisive set was tight. Trailing 11-9, Harding delivered the final surge. An Ouachita attack error tied the score 11-11. Kills from Lambert (12-11), Eason (13-11), and Bishop (14-11) brought the Lady Bisons to match point. Ouachita held off two points, but the match ended emphatically with a combined block from Lambert and Eason, stuffing Braziel's attack for the 15-13 set win and the victory. The set was tied 10 times.

Harding will be back in action Thursday when it travels to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to take on Henderson State. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.