The Lady Bison tennis team won their final match of the regular season with a 6-3 conference victory over Southeastern Oklahoma on Monday. Both teams had entered the match with a 2-3 record in conference.
The Lady Bisons also clinched a No. 3 spot in the GAC tournament. The tournament began today at 9 a.m. and Harding is facing No. 6 seed Henderson State University at Henderson State.
Last week the Lady Bisons earned the 400th and 401st victories in the program history on Monday. According to freshman Katie Huff, the team celebrated by eating at head coach David Elliot’s favorite Chinese buffet in Searcy.
“It felt great to be a part of a new record,” freshman Ali Rowden said. “Not many people can say they helped participate in something that big and it is really exciting especially as a freshman. Hopefully I’ll get to be around for the 500th win.”
Along with breaking through 400 wins, the Lady Bisons defeated Henderson State University 9-0 last Monday in GAC play.
“After the loss (at Southern Nazarene) Henderson had a huge target on their back and none of us were trying to lose two in a row,” Rowden said. “Everyone stuck together and pulled their weight. We played great as a team.”
The Lady Bisons’ overall record for the season is 12-8 and the team is 3-3 in the GAC.
“All they have to do is keep playing as hard as they have been all season and I am sure we will have a positive outcome,” assistant coach Marco Ruiz said.
Junior Kaleigh Wagnerleads the Lady Bisons with 13 singles victories, with Rowden close behind with 11 singles wins.
The Lady Bisons’ top doubles team is junior Benyapa Phumtip and Rowden, who are 9-3 overall, all at No. 1. Overall, Phumtip leads Harding with 11 doubles wins.
