ADA – The East Central University volleyball team will head to Arkansas for the first time in the 2016 season to face two of the top teams in the Great American Conference.  The Tigers will first face Harding, Friday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. and then move on to battle league-leading Arkansas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.

ECU is coming of a four-match week, where the Tigers went 2-2 in league play.  Junior Taylor Turner tallied 141 assists in the matches, moving to 1,472 career assists.  That puts her just 16 away from the No. 2 spot on the career list, currently held by Holly Hicks (1,487/2008-09).

Junior Madyson Gill led ECU with 48 kills, a .262 hitting percentage, four service aces and 33 digs.  Junior Kaci Harrison added 34 kills and 45 digs.

Harding comes into Friday's match with an 11-4 overall record and a 3-2 mark in the league, which ties them for fourth.  The Bisons hold a .212 to .118 hitting percentage advantage over their opponents, but are close in the other categories.

Harding has four hitters with over 100 kills, with three of them hitting over .300 for the year.  Sara Smith leads the team, with a.358 (125k-28e-271ta) percentage, six service aces and 33 (5-28) blocks.  Zoe Hardin adds a .347 (137k-28e-314ta) attack percentage, 11 service aces and 87 (20-67) blocks.

Arkansas Tech is currently tied for first in the league with a 4-1 record and a 12-7 overall mark.  The Golden Suns will face Southeastern Friday before hosting the Tigers.  ATU is out-hitting its opponents .211 to .157 on the season.

The Golden Suns have four players with over 100 kills, with just one hitting over .200.  Hunter Eshnaur leads the team offense, with a .210 (232k-94e-658ta) attack percentage, 25 service aces, 200 digs and 21 block assists.

The all-time series with Harding and Arkansas Tech are skewed in their favor.  When playing Harding, ECU is 0-7 all-time and 0-2 on the road.  The Tigers are 1-13 against the Golden Suns, with a 0-6 deficit on the road.