The volleyball team won their first Great American Conference Tournament Title on Saturday Nov. 17 after defeating Arkansas Tech 3-1.
The Great American Conference Tournament took place in Harding’s own Rhodes Field House, Thursday Nov. 15 through Saturday Nov. 17. After 14 straight wins, the Lady Bisons finished with a perfect at home 13-0 record and a 28-6 season record.
Junior outside hitter Mollie Arnold led the Lady Bisons offense with 21 kills while junior defensive specialist Lisa Copeland led the team’s defense with 24 digs.
The final game of the tournament was against Arkansas Tech. The Lady Bisons fell behind in the match 1-0, but fought back to tie the match at one with a 26-24 win. Harding took the third set with senior right-side hitter Bailee Graham putting away two straight kills for the win. Graham got the final kill in the fourth set as well to bring the Lady Bisons to a final victory to win the tournament.
“It was really nice to be able to look back and say that my last game was a win,” Graham said. “I got the last point in my last game of my college career. It was pretty cool.”
Graham said the game against Arkansas Tech was an emotional game and that every member of the team was playing their hardest. She said when they won the second set that was the turning point of that game for the team.
“After that set I just feel like we played with a lot more heart,” Graham said.
Graham said that during the tournament the girls on the team came together for a common goal to win. By coming together throughout the season the team was able to accomplish all of the goals they had made. She said that when the tournament was over and they were back in the locker room, head volleyball coach Meredith Fear pulled out the team’s goal sheet and started going down the list and checking things off.
The team had gone into the tournament with the goal of coming out as champions, but beyond volleyball, Graham said the players all love the sport, but they realize it is not the biggest thing in life. She said the team prayed before each game of the season.
“We pray help us play to the best of our ability but help us glorify you, God, on and off the court in everything we do,” Graham said.
On the court the players feed off of each other’s attitudes and Graham said they always try to be encouraging and have positive attitudes while still playing their best. They also try to remember to have fun and enjoy the games.
“In the huddle we said something like, just have fun,” Graham said. “Just forget about everything else. This is our last tournament, stop stressing and just enjoy it because when it’s over, it’s over.”
