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HomeSportsAPSU Lady Govs Volleyball hosts North Dakota

APSU Lady Govs Volleyball hosts North Dakota

Austin Peay Sports Information

Austin Peay State University Lady Govs - APSUClarksville, TN – A one-off home match between seven-day road trips awaits when Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team hosts North Dakota in a 7:00pm, Wednesday contest at the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay Women's Volleyball. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Women’s Volleyball. (APSU Sports Information)

Austin Peay (4-7) has taken strides forward in its last two weekends. Most recently, the Lady Govs posted their first-ever win against Conference USA member UAB en route to a 2-1 record and second-place finish at last weekend’s Scenic City Showdown.

“I felt like we made progress last weekend,” said Lady Govs head coach Taylor Mott. “Offensively, everyone we put on the court contributed. Our blockers played really well and were a big part of our two victories. I liked the effort and energy we put out on the court.”

A freshman trio stood out during the Lady Govs stay in Chattanooga. Middle blocker Kaylee Taff and setter Kristen Stucker were named to the all-tournament team while outside Cecily Gable continued her fine play.

Taff was second on the team with 28 kills (2.55 per set) but led APSU with a .356 attack percentage and 11 blocks. Stucker recorded 100 assists (11.11 per set) in the three-match tourney while also posting 15 digs and nine blocks. Gable was fourth on the team with 24 kills (2.18 per set).

“Our freshmen surprise me every time we put them on the court,” said Mott. “This group is ahead of the curve and a pleasure to work with. They’re taking in everything we’re teaching, putting it out there and making it happen.”

Three Things to Know

Balance the Key: Austin Peay State University ends the season’s third week Wednesday and has shown off its offensive balance so far. Three hitters – sophomore Ashley Slay, senior Samantha Strother and freshman Cecily Gable – are each averaging more than two kills per set. Going one step further, six regulars are averaging more than a kill per set.

Blocking Attack Breaks Out: The Lady Govs put on a blocking clinic at Chattanooga, recording 22 team blocks (2.00 per set) in three matches at the Scenic City Showdown. After entering the weekend with just 41 blocks (1.52 per set) in their previous eight matches. Freshman middle blocker Kaylee Taff had 11 blocks while Slay and freshman setter Kristen Stucker had nine blocks each.

Taff Turns It Up: How big was freshman middle blocker Kaylee Taff‘s weekend? She posted 28 kills, more than doubling her season total to 45. Taff entered the weekend with just five blocks and posted a team-leading 11 blocks in three matches.

Scouting The Opposition

North Dakota

North Dakota brings a 7-4 record to the Dunn Center, which it the start of a seven-match road trip. UND upset Dayton to begin the season and most recently defeated Jacksonville State in three sets, Saturday. Sophomore middle hitter Faith Dooley leads North Dakota with 123 kills (3.00 per set) and a .343 attack percentage – one of four hitters averaging more than two kills per set through two weeks.

Catch APSU Volleyball LIVE

Parking and admission to all Austin Peay volleyball home matches at the Dunn Center are free to the public. Unable to make the game in person? All Austin Peay home volleyball matches will feature free live video on the OVC Digital Network. In addition, live statistics will be available at www.PeayStats.com

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