12 Nov 2025 Harding blocks out SAU on Senior Night

Posted at 1:42 PMh in Sports by

SEARCY — The Harding volleyball team showed their grit Tuesday night, overcoming a first-set loss and a fierce Southern Arkansas challenge to win 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-17) at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House in Great American Conference action.

After the match, Harding honored seniors Maegan Jones and Jacey Lambert for their contributions to Lady Bison volleyball.

The victory improves the Lady Bisons’ record to 22-4 overall and 13-2 in GAC play, while Southern Arkansas falls to 12-18 and 5-10 in the GAC. The Lady Bisons found their groove after the opening frame, hitting .251 for the match and dominating defensively in the final set.

Harding’s comeback was driven by a three-pronged attack led by Josie Bishop, Ella Drake and Philomina Klotz.

Bishop had 15 kills on an efficient .368 hitting percentage. She was also a force from the service line, posting a match-high three service aces and adding 11 digs. Drake also finished with 15 kills. Philomina Klotz added crucial balance. Klotz hit .318 with 10 kills and was a defensive standout with eight total blocks (1 solo, 7 assists).

Setter Olivia Wiedower guided the attack with 48 assists and completed a double-double with 12 digs. Maddie Burrough anchored the defense with a team-high 18 digs. The back row was stellar, with four players registering double-digit digs: Burrough (18), Wiedower (12), Bishop (11) and Carter Fouche (11).

SET HIGHLIGHTS

Set 1 (Southern Ark. 25, Harding 20)

The Muleriders took the early momentum. Trailing 6-3, Southern Arkansas went on an 8-1 run on five kills to lead 11-7. The Lady Bisons struggled to find rhythm, hitting only .176 in the frame. Kills from Jacey Lambert and Bishop kept the set within reach, but the Muleriders never surrendered the lead, closing the set on a kill by Courtnee Morgan.

Set 2 (Harding 25, Southern Ark. 22)

Harding responded quickly, finding its defensive edge at the net with a big block by Lambert and Klotz to overcome an early deficit and tie the score at 11-11. Trailing 13-12, Harding went on a 9-2 run on six kills to lead 21-15. After Southern Arkansas battled back to pull within one, 23-22, a kill from Bishop set up the 24-22 set point, sealed by a Drake kill.

Set 3 (Harding 25, Southern Ark. 22)

The Lady Bisons maintained control, jumping out to a 7-3 lead behind a service ace from Drake. Drake recorded multiple kills in the set, keeping the Mulerider defense reeling. The Lady Bisons extended their lead to 16-12, forcing a Southern Arkansas timeout. Bishop and Klotz continued to deliver offensively, holding off a late SAU push. An attack error by the Muleriders gave Harding the final point for the 25-22 win.

Set 4 (Harding 25, Southern Ark. 17)

Harding delivered a dominant, match-clinching performance in the third set. Serving aggressively, Bishop put down two consecutive service aces to open the frame, kicking off a 10-2 run. After a late push by the Muleriders, Bishop sealed the comeback victory with her final kill for the 25-17 win. The Lady Bisons hit a match-best .364 in the set.

Southern Arkansas was led offensively by Brinklee Dauenhauer (12 kills, 16 digs) and Kendall Toliver (10 kills, 15 digs). Sadie Kabisch led all players with 32 digs.

Harding will play its regular season finale Thursday at Arkansas Tech in Russellville. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.