The Northwestern Oklahoma State University volleyball team fell to the No. 1 team in the Great American Conference, Harding University (13-7, 8-1 GAC), in four sets Saturday afternoon [15-25, 25-22, 16-25, 20-25].

In a tough first set, the Lady Rangers hit .073 percent compared to the Bison's .206 hitting percentage. The Bison proved why they are at the top of the conference in hitting percentage, as they pulled ahead in the match 0-1, winning 15-25.

A thrilling second set went to the Lady Rangers, as they controlled the lead for nearly the whole set. The two teams went back and forth until the Bison tied the set at 16-16, where Northwestern would go on a 7-1 run.

The Bison went on a run of their own, but it didn't help as two back-to-back blocks from the Northwestern front row gave them a second-set win 25-22.

Desiree Malicoat

Left: Jennifer Eubanks goes up against the Harding Lady Bisons Saturday. Right: Kaydee Honeycutt tips the ball over the net.

In the third set the Bison went up on the Lady Rangers quickly 13-7. The Black and Red weren't able to catch up to the Bison, as they took the third set and went up in the match, 1-2.

In the last set, Northwestern and Harding fought hard to gain some momentum, but only one team would walk away with a set win. Redshirt-junior Kiauna Clark posted five of her 15 kills in this set, yet it was not enough. The Black and Red fell 20-25.

Kiauna Clark posted a match-high, finishing with 15 kills, and freshman Taylor Brann dished out 45 assists. Senior Hannah Williams followed up with 11 kills and Jennifer Eubanks pulled down five total blocks.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University will take their last Arkansas road trip of the year as they face Ouachita Baptist University (16-6, 5-3 GAC) Friday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m in Ouachita, Arkansas, and Henderson State University (18-3, 7-1 GAC) Saturday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.