SEARCY, Ark. — The Harding volleyball team turned in a dominant offensive performance, sweeping Arkansas-Monticello 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-10) in Great American Conference action Thursday night at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.
With the win, Harding improved to 19-4 overall and 9-3 in GAC play, while UAM dropped to 2-24 overall and 0-12 in conference action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Set 1 (Harding 25, UAM 15): The Lady Bisons hit .371 in the opening frame with 17 kills on 35 attempts. Harding opened up a quick 5-0 lead behind early kills from Melaina Haines, Lauren Demuth, and Josie Bishop. UAM trimmed the lead to 13-10, but Harding responded with a 12-5 closing run capped by back-to-back kills from Ella Drake and Addie Worley to seal the set.
- Set 2 (Harding 25, UAM 20): UAM fought back early in the second frame, using blocks from Jalen Scroggins, Kylie Miller, and Ella Cline to build a brief lead. Harding surged ahead 19-9 following consecutive kills by Payton Hilmer and Josie Bishop. A late 6-0 run by the Blossoms pulled UAM within three at 22-19, but Rauly Eason put the set away for Harding with two late kills.
- Set 3 (Harding 25, UAM 10): Harding put on an offensive clinic in the final set, hitting .455 with 17 kills and just two errors. After jumping out to an 8-1 advantage, the Lady Bisons expanded their cushion to 18-5. A final kill from Philomina Klotz capped the sweep.
STATS & NOTES
- Harding posted a .292 attack percentage as a team, racking up 50 kills on 113 total attacks with 47 assists.
- Philomina Klotz paced the Harding attack with nine kills on a .643 hitting percentage (9-0-14).
- Melaina Haines reached double digits with 11 kills while adding five digs and an ace.
- Olivia Wiedower orchestrated the offense with a match-high 39 assists alongside 10 digs for a double-double.
- Mallory Weyand led the defense with 10 digs, while Maddie Burrough registered four of Harding's 10 service aces.
- For UAM, Sophia Grubbs led the offense with six kills, while Isabella Garcia added five kills and a team-high 12 digs.
- Harding converted sideouts at a 70% rate (33-of-47) for the match, including a 90% sideout percentage in the third set.
Harding will be back in action Tuesday when it hosts Henderson State at 6 p.m., at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.
