APSU Beach Volleyball splits doubleheader against Southern Miss

APSU Sports Information

Clarksville, TN – The Austin Peay State University (APSU) beach volleyball team secured its first victory of the season, 3-2, with a dramatic finish against Southern Miss, Thursday, at the Govs Beach Volleyball Complex, after falling, 4-,1 in the first match of the day.

Southern Miss came out red hot in the first match against the Governors (1-5), creating distance early on the way to their fifth victory of the season.

However, the Govs’ No. 3 pairing of Brooke Moore and Cori Theiss battled the Golden Eagles’ Cyan Blackdeer and Kellie Garraway and edged out the hard-fought battle in a three-set match, winning the first set, 21-17, and final set, 15-12.

After the defeat in the first match, the Governors regained their composure and put the loss right behind them as they had to face the Golden Eagles again with just a few minutes of rest. 

The sophomore duo of Caroline Waite and Nina Korfhage at the No. 5 pairing gave the Govs their first point against Southern Miss’ Jessica Austin and Madison Lawler, bouncing back from a loss in the first set and commanding the final two sets, 21-17 and 15-11.

Cori Theiss joined up with partner Haley Turner in the No. 3 pairing and picked up an exciting victory in the first set, 23-21. After falling in the second set, they rebounded and finished off Cyan Blackdeer and Kellie Garraway in the third set, 15-13.

The team, rejuvenated and excited after the victory at the No. 3 pairing, could feel the momentum swing and went to the final match pumping up the No. 2 pairing of Jenna Panning and Brooke Moore. The duo took the first set, 21-19, before dropping the second set to Abbey Wilson and Piper Matsumoto. With the team and fans cheering on Panning and Moore, the duo finished closed out their opponents with two consecutive aces, claiming victory in the third set, 15-10.

Head coach Taylor Mott was all smiles after the first victory and loved the resiliency from the team to get the victory.

“It’s nice to get our first win under our belt this season,” Mott said. “We saw some improvements throughout the day and we are excited for tomorrow to see what we can do.”

A special guest was on the sideline watching the Govs battle the Golden Eagles. Former Southern Miss quarterback Brett Favre, who played from 1987-90, was in Clarksville to root for his daughter, Breleigh Favre. Breleigh put on a strong performance in front of her father, winning both matches with her partner, Olivia Hepworth, in straight sets at the No. 4 pairing. 

The Governors are set to return to the courts to start the Governors Challenge and will face Tusculum in a noon, Friday, contest. Be sure to follow the Govs on Twitter at @AustinPeayBVB for updates and come out to support the Govs throughout the weekend at the Governors Challenge. 

Box Score

Austin Peay 1, Southern Miss 4

Court 1: Kylie Grandy/Lindsey Legg (USM) def. Ginny Gerig/Ciera Koons (APSU) 21-18, 21-14
Court 2: Abbey Wilson/Piper Matsumoto (USM) def. Jenna Panning/Haley Turner (APSU) 25-23, 21-13
Court 3: Brooke Moore/Cori Theiss (APSU) def. Cyan Blackdeer/Kellie Garraway (USM) 21-17, 18-21, 15-12
Court 4: Breleigh Favre/Olivia Hepworth (USM) def. Lucy Randall/Chloe Stitt (APSU) 23-21, 21-8
Court 5:  Madison Lawler/Jessica Austin (USM) def. MiMi Arrington/Karli Graham (APSU) 21-13, 21-15

Austin Peay 3, Southern Miss 2

Court 1: Kylie Grandy/Lindsey Legg (USM) def. Ginny Gerig/Ciera Koons (APSU) 21-13, 21-18
Court 2: Jenna Panning/Brooke Moore (APSU) def. Abbey Wilson/Piper Matsumoto (USM) 21-19, 17-21, 15-10
Court 3: Cori Theiss/Haley Turner (APSU) def. Cyan Blackdeer/Kellie Garraway (USM) 23-21, 14-21, 15-13
Court 4: Breleigh Favre/Olivia Hepworth (USM) def. Lucy Randall/Chloe Stitt (APSU) 21-13, 21-16
Court 5:  Nina Korfhage/Caroline Waite (APSU) def. Jessica Austin/Madison Lawler (USM) 19-21, 21-17, 15-11