The Lady Bisons volleyball team finished the 2013 season with an impressive 27-8 record. Harding fell, 3-0, to Arkansas Tech University in the finals of the GAC Tournament on Nov. 23. According to junior outside hitter Marindia Turner, the Lady Bisons had a successful season and plan to work even harder next year.
“I am very pleased on how the season ended,” Turner said. “Losing a championship game is always tough, but it does not take away from the success of our team and how well we did this season.”
Seniors Mollie Arnold, outside hitter, and Lisa Copeland, defensive specialist, were selected to the All-Tournament team. Arnold earned her 69th double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs. Arnold was also recently named to the Daktronics All-Central Region second team. Copeland had 14 digs on the defensive side. Junior setter Taryn Eubank had 31 assists.
According to senior middle blocker Alyssa Short, no matter who the team faced, they were able to play at a high level of volleyball and play as a team.
“We have great team chemistry and it was definitely displayed during our games this season,” Short said.
Three Lady Bisons will be graduating this year and will leave a hole on the court. According to Turner, the team will need to step up next season.
“We lost three very important members of our team and we really need to work on building a new team chemistry without them,” Turner said. “We need new leaders to step up.”
For next season, according to Turner, the team needs to improve on finishing games strong. Several matches this season ended with the opponent on top due to final point errors by the Lady Bisons.
According to Short, it is difficult to transition between seasons because of the addition and loss of players.
“One of our weaknesses has always been the final few points of close games,” Short said. “It is important for the team to continue to work on that in the upcoming season.”
Short was nostalgic as this was her last season to play for the Lady Bisons. She were extremely grateful to her teammates, friends, family and coaches.
“These girls have helped make the past four years amazing and I am so blessed to call them my teammates and best friends,” Short said. “I know that they have the heart and the skills to do anything they want to do.”
According to Copeland, the most important thing for the younger girls to accomplish while playing for the Lady Bisons is to build relationships.
“The girls on the team are my family,” Copeland said. “They mean the world to me. My wise words for the younger girls would be to create relationships and enjoy your time here.”
