Searcy, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas volleyball team found itself in striking distance in each set, but was swept, 0-3 (21-25, 23-25, 25-27), by Harding after a strong showing from several players at Rhodes Field House Thursday night.
Harding (7-3) got off to a quick start in the first set, scoring seven of the first eight points. The Lady Muleriders would find their way back in the set, coming to within a point (11-12) after an
Amanda Monge service ace. Back in a 13-17 deficit, SAU (0-10) again would pull within one, scoring three straight capped off by a
Shelby Lauterbach service ace. The Lady Bisons would score the next three points on three kills, two from setter Taryn Eubank, before ultimately taking the set.
Monge and
Alli O'Banion led SAU in the first set with three kills apiece. Monge and O'Banion were also active on the defensive end, combining for two blocks to contribute to the Lady Muleriders 3-0 team block advantage in the first set.
After falling behind 17-21 in the second set, The Lady Muleriders would score four straight behind two
Logan Tolbert kills and a
Hailey McNee spike to push it to 21 apiece. The Lady Bisons, however, would win the set 25-23 after Lauterbach's serve went long.
Tolbert provided a balanced attack for SAU in the set, recording five kills and two blocks.
SAU would jump out to a 6-2 lead in the third set behind three
Angela Gaignard service aces. Leading 10-9 in the third set, SAU would score six straight after a Bison service error behind strong service from
Taylor Reaume. Holding a 20-14 lead late in the set, Harding would score seven of the next eight points to tie the game at 21.
The Lady Bisons would take the lead on a Marindia Turner kill on the next point before Lauterbach fired a kill from the back row to tie the set at 22. The two teams would trade points to a 25-point tie before a McNee service error and attacking error would seal the match for the Lady Bisons.
Tolbert finished the match with a season-high 11 kills on 19 attempts (.579), and O'Banion also recorded a season-high with six blocks. Sophomore
Hannah Rice continued to dig more than five balls per set, recording 17 digs in the three-set match. Reaume also matched conference leader Eubank with 29 assists.
The Lady Muleriders return to action Saturday in San Antonio, Texas, at St. Mary's Tri-Match. SAU will participate in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. CT.
