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Harding Volleyball Mount Comeback Against West Alabama
Nov 17, 2008The Harding volleyball team lost the first two sets but battled back to take the next three to snatch the victory away from West Alabama Friday night in the first round of the Gulf South Conference tournament in Pensacola, Fla. Harding improves to 24-8 on the season.
The Lady Bisons came out of the gate scoring four straight points to begin the match. West Alabama would take a 6-5 lead on five straight points to take the lead for the first time. The Tigers led until the middle of the set when the Lady Bisons went on a 6-1 run to go ahead 19-15. West Alabama battled back and to tie the set 23 all on a 6-1 run. The Tigers would score two of the last three points to take set, 25-24.
In the second set, Harding jumped out to a 5-1 lead, led by two service aces by freshman LeShae Belt. The Lady Bisons would take a 12-4 before the Tigers slowly battled their way back into the set. West Alabama would tie the set at 19 and then take a lead 22-21 on an 11-3 run. Harding would have set point 24-22 but failed to put West Alabama away. The Tigers would use their momentum and take set two 26-24.
West Alabama got on the scoreboard first in set three. Harding would go on an 11-2 run in the middle of the set to take a 15-8 lead. West Alabama would try to mount a comeback but was stuffed by Harding who would close out West Alabama for a 25-16 set score.
The fourth set stayed close with both teams exchanging points. Harding would take a 17-15 lead and wouldn't look back, taking set three 25-22 and tying the match 2-2. Shellie Rummer and Manuela Nesheva each had five kills in the set. Harding as a team only had one error in the set.
In the deciding set both teams looked to jump out to an early lead. West Alabama took a 4-2 lead but Harding would get a kill by Sarah Phipps and a service error by the Tigers to get them right back into the set. Harding would give up three straight points to West Alabama but would get them right back to tie up the set seven all. Shellie Rummer and Sarah Phipps blocked West Alabama Gabriela Pedrosa's attack attempt to take the lead and never look back. Manuela Nesheva hit back to back kills to seal the win for the Lady Bisons.
Harding was lead by Junior outside hitter Nesheva who had 24 kills and 14 digs for her 11th double-double on the season. Senior middle blocker Shellie Rummer hit for a .469 average with 18 kills for Harding. Junior outside hitter Sarah Phipps added 17 kills for the Lady Bisons.
Senior setter Leah Tepe, Harding's all-time assists leader, had 57 assists on the night and lead the Lady Bisons defense with 18 digs. Defensive specialist Emily Tate had 17 digs for Harding.
West Alabama had four players in double figure kills. Leading the way was Jordan Kent who had 19. Gabriela Pedrosa posted a double-double on the night with 14 digs and 17 digs. Leading the way defensively for West Alabama was Chanelle Esteban who had 18 digs.
Harding will play in the GSC tournament semifinals at 1:30 p.m., Saturday.
Photo: Leah Tepe; Harding University
Story: Harding University