Knoxville, TN – An error-prone outing proved costly as Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team fell in three sets (14-25, 22-25, 18-25) to host Tennessee at the Comcast Lady Vol Classic, Thursday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
A well-timed Tennessee timeout turned the momentum 180 degrees, UT piecing together 11 consecutive points to build a 24-12 lead.
The Lady Govs would stop the run, but could not climb back into the set, falling 25-14. Austin Peay finished the first set with more attack errors (12) than kills (nine), a trend they would fight the night’s remainder.
Tennessee (7-1) controlled the early run of play in the second set, leading by as much as six points several times, including 15-9. Austin Peay would begin slowly reeling the Lady Vols back. Head coach Taylor Mott put in several fresh faces late in the set and they were able to help trim the deficit to three points, 23-20, courtesy a 5-1 run. Tennessee got to set point first and Austin Peay was able to fend off a pair of set points, but Tennessee prevailed, 25-22.
The Lady Govs kept the third set a close affair for the bulk of play. Austin Peay used a 4-0 run late in the set to build an 18-17 lead. However, another well-placed Tennessee timeout broke the Lady Govs momentum. The Lady Vols ended the match with a 8-0 run, including seven kills, for the 25-18 victory.
Senior Calyn Hull led Austin Peay with 11 kills, easily the bulk of Austin Peay’s 28-kill outing. Senior Lauren Henderson battled back from a slow start and added seven kills, a pair of service aces and had a hand in all three APSU blocks.
Ashley Mariani was the thorn in the Lady Govs side all night, finishing with a match-best 13 kills. Tennessee recorded 42 kills and a .205 attack percentage in the match. Ellen Mullins, sister of APSU alumnae Marie Mullins, posted 20 digs to lead the Lady Vols defense.
Austin Peay continues play in the Comcast Lady Vol Classic with a 10:00am (ET), Friday contest against VCU. The Lady Govs follow that match with a 4:30pm (ET) outing against East Tennessee.
