BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Harding volleyball team got two wins Saturday to close out the Southwest Baptist Tournament. The Lady Bisons defeated Union 3-1 (25-14,20-25,25-18,25-21)  and Missouri Southern 3-0(25-22,25-17,25-21).

Harding improves to 6-2 on the season.

Union falls to 2-5 and Missouri Southern falls to 6-2.

UNION MATCH

Harding's volleyball team rode a wave of momentum and a dominant front-line presence to a 3-1 victory over Union on Saturday at the Southwest Baptist Tournament.

The Lady Bisons finished with a season-high 13 team blocks.

·         First Set (Harding 25, Union 14): The Lady Bisons' blocking was on full display. A block by Philomina Klotz and Ella Drake gave Harding an early 5-1 lead. Jacey Lambert's solo block extended the margin to 9-3. Harding closed out the set with a 4-2 run, punctuated by a Maddie Burrough service ace to win the set.

·         Second Set (Union 25, Harding 20): Harding's momentum stalled as Union found their rhythm. The Bulldogs grabbed an 12-9 lead on a service ace and extended it to 17-14. The Lady Bisons couldn't overcome their 11 attack errors and dropped the set.

·         Third Set (Harding 25, Union 18): The Lady Bisons regrouped, hitting a scorching .412 with only three errors. A string of four consecutive points, including a service ace from Avery Stanfill and two attack errors by Union, gave Harding a commanding 10-6 lead. Harding maintained control throughout, with Jacey Lambert having six kills.

·         Fourth Set (Harding 25, Union 21): Trailing 10-9, Harding had three straight kills to lead 12-10. Harding had three set points before a kill by Philomina Klotz gave Harding the set.

Jacey Lambert and Ella Drake led Harding with 13 kills. Rauly Eason and Philomina Klotz also had 10 kills.

Harding's balanced offense was orchestrated by setter Olivia Wiedower, who finished with 40 assists. She also had 10 digs and three block assists. On defense, Carter Fouche and Sophia Noble each contributed 10 digs.

MISSOURI SOUTHERN MATCH

The Harding volleyball team defeated Missouri Southern in three sets (25-22, 25-17, 25-21) to close out the Southwest Baptist Tournament on Saturday.

The Lady Bisons were hit .282 as a team with 10 blocks. They held the Lions to a .218 hitting percentage.

Harding had three players with double-digit kills, led by Ella Drake's 13. Rauly Eason and Jacey Lambert each added 10 kills. Eason hit .529 in the match. Setter Olivia Wiedower orchestrated the attack with 34 assists.

The Lady Bisons' defense was led by Maddie Burrough who had 11 digs. Carter Fouche also had 10 digs.

Match Breakdown

• First Set (Harding 25, Missouri Southern 22): Tied at six, Harding went on a 6-2 run on four kills to lead 12-8. Leading 24-22, the Lady Bisons had a kill by Josie Bishop to get the win.
• Second Set (Harding 25, Missouri Southern 17): Leading 8-6, Harding went on a 6-2 run on four kills to lead 14-8. Again leading 19-15, the Lady Bisons went on a 6-2 run on five kills to win the set.
• Third Set (Harding 25, Missouri Southern 21): Trailing 14-9, Harding went on a 9-1 run on four kills and two blocks to lead 18-15.The Lady Bisons closed the set with a 5-2 run on two kills and two blocks to win the set.

The Lady Bisons will host the Harding Invitational Thursday-Saturday next week. Harding opens the tournament against Southwest Baptist Thursday at 6 p.m., at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.