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HomeSportsAPSU Lady Govs Volleyball hosts SIU Edwardsville Cougars, Eastern Illinois Panthers

APSU Lady Govs Volleyball hosts SIU Edwardsville Cougars, Eastern Illinois Panthers

Austin Peay Sports Information

Austin Peay State University Lady Govs - APSUClarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team looks to begin its move up the Ohio Valley Conference standings when it starts a four-match homestand with a pair of weekend contests at the Dunn Center.

The Lady Govs host SIU Edwardsville in a 7:00pm, Friday contest before Eastern Illinois visits in a 2:00pm, Saturday matchup.

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

Austin Peay (5-14, 0-4 OVC) returns to the Dunn Center still seeking its first conference victory.

Despite the slow start, head coach Taylor Mott has seen positives in her team’s performance, particularly following Wednesday’s matchup with OVC-leader Murray State.

“We knew coming in we would be young and there would be tough times,” said Mott. “I was really pleased we showed up (at Murray State) with the right energy and battled throughout the match. I believe we’re ready to take the next step forward in our progress.”

APSU Aubrey MarsellisMott has searched for the right starting combination throughout the season. Currently, the Lady Govs head coach is on a seven-match streak where she has utilized a different starting six. In OVC play, only senior Aubrey Marsellis has started all four matches, but she is one of five players who have played in all 13 sets.

“We have had individuals step up and play well with consistency,” said Mott. “It’s easy to focus on the six that start a match, but I remind our players it’s not who starts, but what you do for the team when your number is called. Everyone has done their part when they’ve stepped on the court and that’s been encouraging.”

Three Things To Know

APSU Samantha StrotherStrother Pacing APSU in OVC: Senior Samantha Strother leads Austin Peay with 33 kills (2.54 per set) in Ohio Valley Conference play. She’s also the team leader in points (37) thanks to her team-best four service aces. Defensively, Strother has 26 digs and one of two APSU double-doubles in OVC action.

First Set Signs: The first set has been a harbinger of success for Austin Peay this season. The Lady Govs are 4-0 when winning the first set this season, but 1-14 when losing the opening frame – that lone win coming in a five-set victory against Southern Miss, September 19th.

Adams reaches 1,000: Senior April Adams became the 18th Lady Govs player to reach the 1,000-dig milestone, reaching the mark at Southeast Missouri, September 26th. She enters this weekend with 1,036 career digs, 16th most in program history. Austin Peay will recognize Adams’ achievement prior to the start of Saturday’s contest against Eastern Illinois.

About SIU Edwardsville (3-11, 1-3 OVC)

SIU Edwardsville CougarsThe Cougars bring a three-match losing streak into Friday’s contest. SIUE opened a three-match OVC road trip with a three-set loss at Tennessee State, Saturday.

Senior middle blocker Kristen Torre is off to an impressive first-half start, leading the Cougars with 163 kills (3.08 per set), a .374 attack percentage and 45 blocks (0.85 per set).

Series History: SIUE has won the last three meetings in the series, including a sweep of last season’s home-and-home set. That streak has narrowed APSU’s series lead to 7-6, including a 4-3 advantage at the Dunn Center. APSU’s has lost the last two home matches in the series, its last home win coming in an October 13th, 2012 contest.

About Eastern Illinois (8-10, 3-1 OVC)

Eastern Illinois PanthersThe Panthers, who are currently tied for second in the OVC, visit the Dunn Center after back-to-back battles against teams in the top three of the OVC standings. Six days after dropping a match at Belmont and falling into a second-place tie, the Panthers will face league-leading Murray State, Friday, before meeting the Lady Govs.

EIU is the league’s top hitting team with a .236 attack percentage while ranking second in kills (12.93 per set).

EIU’s offense presents a varied threat with five hitters recording more than 100 kills and averaging between 2.22 and 2.28 kills per set.

Sophomore middle blocker Allie Hueston leads EIU in kills (2.28 per set) while ranking second among OVC hitters with a .347 attack percentage (behind SIUE’s Torres).

Series History: Eastern Illinois owns a five-match win streak in the series, but three of the five matches have gone to five sets. The win streak has allowed the Panthers to build a 21-17 lead in the all-time series, but the Lady Govs maintain a 10-8 edge in matches played at the Dunn Center.

Video

Austin Peay Volleyball head coach Taylor Mott on two big upcoming matches against Eastern Illinois and SIU Edwardsville.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcW9rPvq68A[/youtube]

Catch It Live

Both matches will be available on the OVC Digital Network, available free on any digital device. In addition, live statistics will be available at www.PeayStats.com

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