The Arkansas Tech University Golden Suns hosted a sweep against the Lady Bisons volleyball team Tuesday night at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville, Arkansas.
Though the Lady Bisons kept it close with scores of 23-25, 23-25 and 22-25, Arkansas Tech closed each set on kills. Since Harding’s debut in the Great American Conference (GAC) in 2011, Arkansas Tech leads the series 8-5.
Head coach Meredith Fear has had plenty of experience with the Golden Suns between playing for, and now coaching, the Lady Bisons.
“The rivalry between (Arkansas) Tech and Harding (in every sport) is always there, especially in volleyball,” Fear said.
Freshman outside hitter Emily Clayton said that her first meeting with Arkansas Tech was exciting.
“(Arkansas) Tech was presented to me as a challenge from the get-go,” Clayton said. “There was a lot of hype and talk about this game that prepared me a little more for what to expect.”
However, hype is a word that no longer carries clout with senior Molly Howard. Howard has faced the Arkansas Tech volleyball team on multiple occasions and said she recognizes its talent and the attention this matchup receives.
“They will always give us a great match,” Howard said. “Rivalry is fun, but honestly anyone that we go out there and play is a rival.”
Howard said her mindset in this matchup is the same as the rest: to play together, focus on teamwork and score more points than the other team.
The Lady Bisons bring GAC play home for four out of their next five games. Fear said she is excited to have another home game and said they are really pushing to get people excited about volleyball.
Fear said she wants people to recognize that volleyball is a complex game that involves offensive and defensive plays and is more than just bump, set, spike.
The Lady Bisons faced University of Arkansas at Monticello on Thursday, Sept. 24, although results were not available at press time. Harding will host Ouachita Baptist University on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. in the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.
