LEBANON, Ill. — The Harding women's volleyball team pushed its season-opening winning streak to three on Friday, staging a dramatic five-set comeback victory over Maryville before rolling past Montevallo in a straight-sets sweep at the Melvin Price Convocation Center.
With the victories, the Lady Bisons improved to 3-0 on the young season, building off Thursday night's season-opening win over host McKendree.
Game 1: Harding 3, Maryville 2
In Friday's opening match, Harding erased a 2-0 deficit to claim a thrilling 21-25, 20-25, 25-10, 25-17, 20-18 victory over Maryville.
After struggling to find an offensive rhythm in the opening two sets, the Lady Bisons exploded in set three, hitting .515 with 18 kills against just one error to swing the momentum. Harding carried that dominant pace through the fourth frame before battling through a marathon, extra-points fifth set to seal the win.
Ella Drake led the Lady Bisons' attack with a team-high 15 kills, while Melaina Haines added 14 kills and 12 digs for a double-double. Philomina Klotz provided a major lift at the net with 12 kills.
Senior setter Olivia Wiedower orchestrated the offense with 47 assists and served up two aces. Defensively, libero Mallory Weyand anchored the back row with a match-high 26 digs, supported by Addie Worley's 15 digs.
Harding out-killed Maryville 66-50 and held a 79-73 advantage in digs overall.
Game 2: Harding 3, Montevallo 0
The Lady Bisons needed no extra time in Friday's second matchup, dispatching Montevallo 25-21, 25-18, 25-19 in a clean sweep.
Harding delivered an efficient offensive performance, attacking at a .288 clip with 43 total kills while holding the Falcons (1-1) to .125 hitting.
Worley paved the way for the Lady Bisons, recording a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs alongside a team-high three service aces. Klotz hit double figures for the second straight match with 10 kills, and Haines chipped in nine kills to go with four blocks.
Wiedower notched 33 assists to cap off an 80-assist Friday performance. At the net, Harding's defense proved formidable, out-blocking Montevallo 8-0. Haines led the effort at the tape with four total blocks, while Rauly Eason contributed three. Weyand posted 10 digs to reach double digits for the third consecutive match.
Harding wraps up the Invitational Saturday against Northwest Missouri State at 2 p.m.
