Harding College - Petit Jean Yearbook (Searcy, AR)

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DIVE! Reaching for the ball, Kelly Willingham, sophomore, dives for the hard hit spike. Onetta Gardner and Laura Jones watch the action to see what the next move should be. The Lady Bisons had the largest number of players, 13. in its six-year history. -Photo by Ken Bissell. 59277219 1716 506776 We became one of the toughest teams in the conference as we took everyone to five games ,' said Dempsey F or the second consecutive year the team has reached the six-school National Associ- ation of Intercollegiate Athletes District 17 post seasnn tourna- ment. A season record of 21 - 23 was the second best the team has had in its short history. The squad's year was ended by top seated Ouachita Baptist Universi- ty in the district tournament. Coach Karyl Bailey said he was pleased with his teams perfor- mance, despite its sixth place fin- ish in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference standings. Bailey also said Hwe were so close to the top, but we lost some critical matches by very close scores.H The play of five seniors was a positive factor for the team as they kept it within close distance all season. Although there was no one outstanding player, according to Stephanie Alsup, Bailey praised the squadls senior members. HAll five have been great players for us. Theylve seen this program come 22 Playing for keeps from nowhere to a contender in the league? he said. uEveryone played well. We had lots of depth on the bench Which helped in some crucial times, said Alsup. The squadls year ended in a match with top seated Ouachita Baptist University. ttWe played a good game; providing a challenge to OBU. Just think, we didnt lose the match until the fifth game, said Angela Mitchell. ltOBU, like other teams, learned we are contenders and a hard team to beat in less than five matchesfl continued Mitchell. According to Bailey, not losing in less than five matches, was one of the teams goals. Onetta Gardner was the only team member to receive post sea- son honors as she was selected to the 10-player All-NAIA District 17 squad. The coaches in the dis- trict selected the 10 players. -Don Strader AIM HIGH. Kelly Willingham, sopho- more, serves the ball to the competi- tion. The 13-member squad came back early from summer vacation to practice twice a day for two hours at a time. -Ph0t0 by Jim Shiefelhein.

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BRINGING DOWN THE COMPETI- TION. Defensive players Eric Cook, sophomore, and Ivan Pugh, fresh- man, tackle a Henderson State Uni- versity ballcarrier. The Bisons lost the game held on Oct. 22, 17-34 at the Alumni field. -Photo by Brian Love- grove. SIDELINE TALK. In the first home game of the season, Head Coach Larry Richmond pulls the offense aside for an alteration in the play. The team defeated the University of Missouri Rolla on September 10. - Photo by Cole Bennett. Cbangxbg dkecims tGetting used to a new coach is always hard but coach Richman made it a smooth change said Lowery B ig things were in store as a new coach headed the team. Among these were the 12-man squad, a team prayer and alma mater session at the end of each game. The 12-man squad consist- ed of representatives of the menis social clubs. Another change was the institution of a ttpasst offense; Hit was a hard transition for us but it proved worthwhile as we won more games than we were expect- ed to against our hardest seasonti, said senior running back Anthony Lowery. uWe played one of the toughest schedules of any team in the nation and it finally caught up with us, said head coach Rich- mend. Harding entered the rankings after defeating Lane College 22-7 in Jackson, Tenn, during the sec- ond week of the schedule. The rest of the season fluctuated with three wins and six losses. The season ended with a 28-0 loss to top ranked University of Central Ar- kansas and a 4-6 record. Several players had good per- formances during the year. Lowery and Chris Hill opened the season as the number one and two rushers in the National Associa ation of Intercollegiate Athletes. Hill ended as the teamis top baila carrier with Lowery 24 yards be' hind him. Freshman Tad Niblett became the teamis quarterback as junior Greg Cox fell to a rib injury. They passed for 1314 yards. Punt- er Mark Thomas was ranked fifth in the conference with an average of 36.5 yards. Hill placed second in the AIC for kickoff returns, with a 23.3 yard average, and in the top 10 in scoring with 42 points. Pete Dan- iell a freshman place-kicker, was the most efficient kicker in the AIC, with 100 percent in extra point attempts and 60 per cent for field goals with 35 points. eDon T. Strader Football 2 1

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VOLLEYBALL. Front row: Tammy Todd, Lisa Phillipi, Onenn Gardner, Stephanie Dempsey, Laura Jones, Angela Mitchell, Penny Erwin; 1 1 Back row: Julie Henry, Susan Malone. Kelly - SCORE? Willingham, Carolee Musik, Sheryl Green, Ouachlta Baptlst Stephanie Alsup, Wendi Scott. Tndd Hum- Universitv .......... 11.1 phreys, Karyl Bailey -coach. -Photo by Ken Southern Arkansas Blsse'L University ........... 11-1 Arkan Tech University ,,,,, Henderson State University .......... Harding University Monferenceak KILL IT. Middle hitter, Stephanie PERFECT PASS. Starting With a Alsup, senior, spikes the ball during great pass with the key to a good agame against Honderson.Theteam offense. Onetta Gardner, senior, practiced daily in the new gym for 2 passes the ball while Lisa Phillipi, hours. -Photo by Bill Tripp. senior, and Tammy Todd, freshman, look on. -Photo by Hernan Riverol. Volleyball 23