APSU Lady Govs Volleyball hits OVC’s halfway mark with games at Eastern Illinois, SIU Edwardsville

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team hits the midpoint of its Ohio Valley Conference slate when it begins a two-week crossover set with Eastern Illinois and SIU Edwardsville.

Austin Peay (8-14, 5-1 OVC West) posted a 4-0 mark in its home OVC matches the past two weekends and finds itself atop the West Division nearing the halfway point. The Lady Govs return to the road seeking to improve on their 1-6 road mark this season, the lone win coming at Tennessee Tech, September 28th.

“I believe it is imperative to win road games when the opportunity arises,” said Lady Govs head coach Taylor Mott. “If we get ahead in a match on the road we have to be able to finish it off. To stay on top of the conference standings we will have to win on the road.”

The Lady Govs hot OVC start can be attributed to an improving defensive effort. Austin Peay is averaging 2.40 blocks per set (2nd in the OVC) and 17.46 digs per set (3rd) during conference play. For comparison, APSU is averaging 1.50 blocks per set (8th in OVC) in all matches this season and only 14.69 digs per set (8th).

“I feel like we’ve spent more time on defense than anything else the past month,” said Mott. “Although that is a lot of time spent, I believe the results are starting to show in our matches. We still have a long ways to go because we’re committing too many errors at the net, but we are making strides forward each time out.”

Austin Peay’s block party is led by senior middle blocker Lauren Henderson who ranks second among OVC blockers with 1.20 blockers per set in league action. Sophomore setter Aubrey Marsellis climbed into the league’s top 10 with an impressive 11-block effort in last weekend’s matches and ranks eighth in the OVC with 0.86 blocks per set.

“Lauren got off to a slow start but has imposed her will during conference play,” said Mott. “She is a big part of what we do at the net, both offensive and defensively. Aubrey had a good weekend in her first two starts for us, but now she has to back that up as teams will be aware of her. Although those two have stood out, everyone at the net has done a good job getting us to the top of the conference in blocking.”

Video

Three Questions with sophomore setter Aubrey Marsellis.