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APSU Lady Govs Volleyball plays defending OVC champ Morehead State at Dunn Center, Saturday

Austin Peay Sports Information Office

Austin Peay State University Lady Govs - APSUClarksville, TN – “Beware the wounded animal.” That may be appropriate advice for Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team as it prepares to host defending Ohio Valley Conference champion, but winless, Morehead State in a 2:00pm, Saturday contest at the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay Women's Volleyball takes on Morehead State at home, Saturday. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Women’s Volleyball takes on Morehead State at home, Saturday. (APSU Sports Information)

Austin Peay (9-10, 3-0 OVC) enters the final outing of its four-match homestand seeking to reach .500 for the first time this season.

The Lady Govs have won six of their last seven outings, including a 3-0 start to OVC play for the first time since 2010.

The Lady Govs have played well on their side of the net during their 3-0 start, leading in the OVC with a .256 attack percentage in league play. Austin Peay also leads the league in assists (14.00 per set) and kills (14.92) while ranking second in service aces (1.42) and digs (18.92).

APSU's Sammie EbrightHowever, it has not been all positive for the Lady Govs who have allowed opponent’s to hit .228 in three league contests – ranking 10th in the league.

“We have seen our offense at its best during these three OVC matches,” said Lady Govs head coach Taylor Mott. “However, we haven’t done as well stopping our opponent’s offense. We have missed our defensive assignments enough to keep our opponents in the match.  I am encouraged that we do find a way to make a defensive stop when we need to, we just have to extend that to every point.”

Austin Peay has not won a regular-season contest against Morehead State since 2010 – a five-match losing streak during the regular season. Including OVC Tournament contests, Morehead State has won six of the last seven meetings in the series. APSU’s lone win was a four-set OVC tournament victory in 2010 that sent it to the NCAA Tournament.

Lady Govs to Watch

APSU's Jada StottsSenior outside hitter Jada Stotts ranks among the NCAA’s leaders in total attacks (6th, 726), kills (9th, 267), kills per set (50th, 3.93) and digs (86th, 246). Having already surpassed 1,000 career kills, she enters this weekend’s contest needing just four digs to reach the 1,000 dig mark.

Upon reaching the mark, she will become only the seventh Lady Govs player to become a “Double Grand” member, posting both 1,000 kills and digs during their career.

APSU's Aubrey MarsellisJunior setter Aubrey Marsellis has helped marshal the Lady Govs offense and ranks 72nd nationally with 565 assists. Her 11.75 assists per set in conference play leads the OVC and has been a big part of APSU’s league-leading attack.

Sophomore outside hitter Sammie Ebright has broken through in conference play, recording three straight double-digit kill outings for the first time this season. She has 40 kills (3.33 per set) in three matches, but it is her .368 attack percentage that has stood out and ranks third among OVC hitters.

Scouting Morehead State (0-16, 0-3 OVC)

The Eagles enter the weekend seeking their season’s first victory and an end to a 17-match losing streak that dates back to last season’s NCAA Tournament appearance.

Morehead State did put a scare into Eastern Kentucky by winning the first two sets, Wednesday, but could not hold on in a five-set loss.

Morehead State ranks last in attack percentage (.132) and opponent’s attack percentage (.265) in overall play, but have seen both marks improve in OVC play where they are hitting .179 while limiting opponents to a .198 attack percentage.

Junior middle blocker Hannah Sigala leads Morehead State with 143 kills (2.47 per set) and a .255 attack percentage. Sophomore setter/outside hitter Bailey ranks second on the team in assists (229, 3.95 per set), but showed she was an offensive threat at Eastern Kentucky, with 12 kills to tie Sigala for the team lead.

 

Team Comparison
TEAM APSU MOR
Record 9-10 0-16
OVC 3-0 0-3
Kills* 13.32 10.74
PCT. .204 .145
Aces* 1.25 0.78
Digs* 16.00 11.69
Blocks* 1.38 1.59

 

*-per set, all matches

Video – Samantha Strother

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXL6MDH3g-A[/youtube]

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