Going for the kill, junior middle blocker Liv Savage prepares to take a swing at the ball on Oct. 22 at a game against University of Arkansas-Monticello. Savage contributed to the Lady Bisons' victory with 10 kills. Matt Dobson Finding an opening, senior Alyssa Short hits the ball between the hands of her Henderson State opponents on Sept. 17. Short was named to the All-GAC first team at the end of the regular season. Jeff Montgomery In perfect sync, junior Liv Savage and senior Mollie Arnold attempt to block the ball from crossing the net on Sept. 17. The team finished the season with a record of 27-8. Jeff Montgomery HONORING I n the fall, the Lady Bisons volleyball team was a dominant force in collegiate volleyball. Led by seniors Mollie Arnold, Lisa Copeland and Alyssa Short, the team was undefeated in conference play, with a 24-7 overall record. Leadership and talent provided by these seniors brought many successes, including two consecutive Great American Conference championships and a 27-match win streak, which was a conference record. All three players contributed to the Lady Bisons' success. Arnold, an outside hitter, had 326 kills in the season and 1701 kills in her total career, the second most in Harding history. Copeland, a defense specialist, finished the season with 398 digs, bringing her career total to 1141. Short, a middle hitter, had 7 single blocks in the season and 58 in her career. Arnold, Copeland and Short provided more than just technical skill to the team. These seniors exemplified good character and values to the team, which head coach Meredith Fear said she appreciated as much as their athletic ability. Fear returned to Harding as a coach in the spring of 2012, having played on the team as a defensive THE LEGACY specialist from 2004 to 2007. She was impressed by their development over her first years of coaching. "Even in that amount of time," Fear said. "I have seen great change and growth as both people and athletes. Our three seniors have done a great job of honoring and continuing the Harding volleyball legacy of excellence. They are great examples for their teammates athletically, academically, mentally and spiritually." Copeland saw a change in herself during her time on the team as a leader on the court. "The past four years have given me more confidence in who I am, allowing me to become a better leader on and off the volleyball court," Copeland said. Arnold was named Great American Conference Player of the Year for the second year in a row. She hoped to leave a lasting legacy for her teammates to carry with them. "You may fall while you are here," Arnold said. "But never give up, because it will just make you stronger as a person. Sometimes you have to go through the bad to get to the good." The volleyball team was well known for its exemplary athletic performance, creating a record that established the team on paper. Six players including Arnold, Short and Copeland were named All-Great American Conference, and Fear was named GAC Coach of the Year. However, Fear said she wanted to focus more on the ways they impacted the team morale and identity beyond a single season. "All three of them have contributed in many unique ways to the program," Fear said. "But more importantly than wins and losses and X's and O's, they have contributed to the program's legacy of our team consisting of great women of faith and integrity." Fear noted that it was never easy to lose seniors, especially such talented players as Arnold, Short and Copeland. The team was faced with the challenge of losing its leaders, but the younger players were determined to rise to the challenge by following the example set for them. "I am confident in our returners," Fear said. "I know they will rise to the occasion and continue on our legacy of excellence." Reid Belew 285 E: B L~
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