LEBANON, Ill. — Melaina Haines recorded 11 kills and 10 digs, and Olivia Wiedower dished out 35 assists to power the Harding volleyball team to a 3-0 season-opening victory (27-25, 25-18, 25-13) over McKendree on Thursday night at the Melvin Price Convocation Center.
The Lady Bisons (1-0) recorded a .264 hitting percentage as a team while holding the Bearcats (0-1) to .098 in the straight-sets sweep.
After surviving a tightly contested opening set that saw Harding erase a 10-5 deficit and push past extra points, 27-25, the Lady Bisons took control of the match. Harding hit .313 in the second frame and finished strong with 15 kills in set three to pull away.
Philomina Klotz provided a major lift at the net, talling nine kills with a .381 attack percentage and two blocks. Rauly Eason added seven kills on a team-best .462 hitting clip, while Addie Worley and Ella Drake chipped in six and five kills, respectively.
Wiedower directed the Lady Bisons' attack with 35 assists, adding three service aces and seven digs. On defense, Maddie Burrough and Mallory Weyand anchored the back row with a team-high 12 digs apiece.
Madelyn Clarke led McKendree with nine kills, while Peyton Uptgraft and Madison Wojdyla combined for 26 assists in the loss.
Harding continues its opening week on Friday, Aug. 28, with a neutral-site doubleheader against Maryville and Montevallo.
