APSU Sports: Austin Peay Volleyball
Springfield, MO – Austin Peay State University got another outstanding effort from sophomore outside hitter Jada Stotts and stuck close to Oral Roberts before falling in three sets (23-25, 21-25, 20-25) in Saturday action at the University Plaza Invitational at the Hammons Center.
The Lady Govs (2-6) kept each of the three sets close throughout – the five-point deficit at the end of the third set was their largest deficit at any point in the match.
Oral Roberts (4-2) only won the first set with three straight points, turning a 23-22 deficit into a 25-23 victory. The second set turned the Golden Eagles way with a set-ending 8-3 run for a 25-21 victory. Austin Peay held a 13-11 lead in the final set but Oral Roberts pieced together a 7-1 run to build an 18-14 lead that they would maintain to win the match.
Senior outside hitter Nikki Doyle joined Stotts in double-digit kill territory, posting 14 kills and a .343 attack percentage against Oral Roberts. However, the Doyle-Stotts duo combined for 33 of the Lady Govs 45 kills in the contest.
“Our outside hitters were good today but we need that effort from everyone on the court,” said Lady Govs head coach Taylor Mott. “We didn’t block or play defense particularly well and Oral Roberts took advantage. We have to execute better in all aspects of the game in order to be successful.”
Tatum Fredeen led Oral Roberts with 16 kills. Jessica Pancratz added 14 kills. The Golden Eagles finished the match with 57 kills and posted a .342 attack percentage against Austin Peay.
The Lady Govs conclude their stay at the University Plaza Invitational with a 6:00pm contest against host Missouri State.
