Austin Peay (22-9) sees its season end in the semifinals for the second consecutive season. Morehead State (22-9) advances to the championship game and will meet top-seed Jacksonville State.

The Lady Govs offense struggled from the opening serve and finished the night with just 52 kills in the five-set match. More telling was Austin Peay’s .113 attack percentage – its lowest since the regular-season’s opening weekend.

Austin Peay fell in the OVC semifinal round for the second consecutive season, falling to Morehead State in five sets, Friday night. (Austin Peay Sports Information)

Senior Stephanie Champine was the epitome of the offense’s trouble, recording a match-high 18 kills but also committing 11 errors to finish with a .101 attack percentage. Junior Taylor Skinner had the best offensive evening, finishing with eight kills, no errors and a .500 attack percentage. Junior Jessica Mollman had seven kills and seven blocks.

Freshman Amber Gruenschlaeger led Morehead State with 14 kills and nine blocks. She was one of five Eagles players to record more than 10 kills in the match.

Morehead State recorded 63 kills and a .150 attack percentage while also posting 102 digs and 14 blocks.

Morehead State took advantage of Austin Peay’s troubles, winning the first two sets. After committing  four errors and allowing Austin Peay to jump out to a 6-1 lead, Morehead State put together an 11-4 to take a 12-10 lead. Austin Peay briefly retook the lead at 13-12 but surrendered four straight points to give Morehead State a 16-13 lead which it would not relinquish on the way to a 25-21 win.

The second set saw the Eagles jump out to a 10-4 lead. However it was a messy offensive set in which both teams combined to record 18 attack errors. That allowed the Lady Govs to slowly climb back into the set and close within one point, 19-18. Morehead State would fend off the effort and hold on to win 25-22.

After the break, both teams combined to put together the match’s most competitive set with 11 ties and five lead changes. Austin Peay would lead by four points, 22-18, late in the set but Morehead State closed back within a point, 23-22, before the team’s traded service errors followed by a Mollman kill to end the set.

Morehead State put Austin Peay on the ropes in the fourth set, taking a 12-7 lead and forcing an APSU timeout. That timeout proved effective as the Lady Govs scored the next eight points – four courtesy service aces by sophomore Paige Economos – to take a 15-12 lead. That run provided enough impetus to push the Lady Govs to a 25-21 match-tying victory.

The Eagles put the Lady Govs on the ropes again in the fifth set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead, but made the lead stick. Austin Peay would close to within one point, 11-10, but could not tie the set as Morehead State advanced with the 15-12 victory.

- AP -

Named The Monocle, the 2008-09 edition of the yearbook is a 300-page treasure that not only preserves memories of the academic year in hundreds of brilliant color photos but also recounts important events of the 15 years APSU did not publish a yearbook.

In 2008, President Tim Hall asked Student Affairs to facilitate a year-in-review type publication documenting campus life and student achievements. After much discussion regarding the format, it was decided to revive the yearbook, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Sherryl Byrd said.

The revived APSU yearbook rolls off the printing presses (The All State)

“This is especially noteworthy at a time when more and more institutions have stopped producing yearbooks,” Byrd added. “The Monocle has exceeded all expectations and is proof of what a talented and dedicated group of students can accomplish. They have created a legacy that will benefit students far into the future.”

The book is available for viewing by alumni and members of the community by contacting the Office of Student Publications at (931) 221-7375. In addition, the 2008-09 yearbook and yearbooks from 1993 and earlier are featured in a special display in the Felix G. Woodward Library on campus at APSU until the end of November.

The book may be purchased from Jostens with a credit or debit card until Nov. 30 or by check or cash in the Morgan University Center, Room 115. As a true work of art featuring spectacular photography, copies of the yearbook would make great gifts as well as historical memorabilia for business lobbies around Clarksville.

Sample Pages from the Monocle

APSU Athletics

Gov Fans

]]> http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/11/21/the-monocle-the-2008-09-apsu-yearbook-is-now-on-sale/feed/ 0 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/11/20/govs-set-for-third-annual-glenn-wilkes-classic/ http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/11/20/govs-set-for-third-annual-glenn-wilkes-classic/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:39 +0000 News Staff http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=28636 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—For Austin Peay men’s basketball team, the competition will improve as much as the weather when it travels for three games, on-site, at the Glenn Wilkes Classic, played at the Ocean Center. The Govs opened the classic with a 80-77 upset of Akron, which was ranked No. 6 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major preseason poll.

APSU Governor's Head Coach Dave Loos

Govs head coach Dave Loos fields a young team, led by preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference selection senior Wesley Channels, who had a game-high 17 points and six assists at Akron. The young Govs have featured a balanced scoring attack through their first two games. Sophomore Anthony Campbell leads the way averaging 15.5 ppg., followed by Channels at 15 ppg. and sophomore point guard Tyrone Caldwell at 12.5 ppg. Youth will be served for Austin Peay in a starting lineup that likely will feature Channels as the only upperclassmen.

Now the Govs turn their attention to a challenging three-game slate that begins with IUPUI, Friday, followed by ACC power North Carolina State, Saturday, before a Sunday game against Niagra.

IUPUI joins the Govs as being the other road team to win their first-round Glenn Wilkes Classic game on the road, picking up an 88-82 win at Drake. While the Jaguars have six newcomers on their roster, head coach Ron Hunter also returns four starters. That includes senior forward Robert Glenn, who was the Summit League Newcomer of the Year last season.

North Carolina State, meanwhile, lost its top-three scorers from last season which led to the Wolfpack being picked 10th in the 2009-10 ACC Preseason poll. They do, however, return two starters in Javier Gonzalez and Tracy Smith. The Pack opened its season with a 69-53 win against Georgia State in first-round GWC play, behind Smith’s 18-point, 11-rebound effort.

Niagra is coming off a 76-69 win against Drexel, 8 a.m., Tuesday, game as part of ESPN’s 24 Hours of College Basketball Tipoff Marathon. The Purple Eagles lost by four points, 69-65, at Auburn to open the GWC. Returning for Niagra are two first-team MAAC selections – senior guards Tyrone Lewis and Bilal Benn – and Lewis the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year

Stephanie Champine

Champine becomes the third Lady Govs all-time to receive the league’s “Player of the Year,” joining Connie Caldwell (1987) and Isabel Canedo (1992). In addition, it is the first time in program history that three players received All-OVC (first or second team) honors in the same season.

“When I first met this team back in March, there was a prevailing sentiment the other coaches in the OVC didn’t respect the athletes of Austin Peay as much as they perhaps should have,” said Austin Peay head coach Mike Johnson. “My challenge to them was to simply worry about getting better each day and the fringe benefits such as All-Conference awards would come. Our team has taken that mindset to heart, and I’m proud of the gains we have made. I am so very happy for all of the Lady Govs. These are team honors, and Champ, Sarah and Jess would be the first to tell you that.”

Champine, of Lambertville, Mich., was named first-team All-OVC for the second consecutive year, becoming the third APSU player to receive back-to-back first-team honors, again joining Caldwell (1986-87) and Canedo (1991-92) among a select group.

Champine led all OVC players with 4.50 kills per set in league play this season. In fact, her 309 kills during the league’s 18-match slate were 106 more than the next closest hitter in league action. Champine also led the league in points, averaging 5.07 points per set.

Through the end of the OVC regular-season, Champine was ranked 21st nationally in kills, averaging 4.35 kills per set, and 28th in points, averaging 4.76 points per set. Her 470 kills this season are third-most in program history and her .258 attack percentage is 11th-best in a single-season. Her 875 career kills are the second-most by a junior college transfer, 40 behind the mark set by Canedo (915, 1991-92).

“The best words I can use to describe Stephanie’s season are she has been ‘consistently dominant,’” said Johnson. “I can count on two hands the number of times she was willing to put this team on her back and will us to victory. The most impressive part of what she has done is every team knew what she was capable of – she didn’t fly under the radar by any means. Instead, people would gear their entire defense towards stopping her, and she would still post kill after kill against them.

“While her statistics alone are mind boggling, they don’t tell the whole tale of what she has meant to this team. In addition to her offensive prowess, she is also one of our best defenders, stabilizes our serve receive, and is one of our captains. We talk to our team all the time about being a ‘complete player.’ Champ has been exactly that.”

Alisaleh, of San Antonio, Texas, joins Champine on the All-OVC first team squad, her first career honor. They become only the second pair of APSU teammates to receive first-team All-OVC honors in the same season, joining Canedo and Melissa Gailey who were both named to the 1992 All-OVC squad.

Under her guidance, Austin Peay ranked second in both team attack percentage (.250) and kills per set (13.03) in league play. Alisaleh statistically was ranked as the league’s best setter, averaging 11.15 assists per set in OVC play.

Sarah Alisaleh

Alisaleh currently is ranked 55th nationally in assists per set (10.63) overall this season. That average ranks seventh-best in a single-season, two years after she posted a school-record 11.89 assists per set.

“Much has been made of late of the faster offense we have been employing,” Johnson said. “The lynchpin towards pulling it off though has always been accurate serve receive passers and a setter that can locate very precisely. We feel very fortunate that Sarah has developed into the latter. With the bevy of talented hitters in our midst, it can be easy for some to overlook Sarah’s talents. I can say with complete confidence, though, that Sarah is an integral reason those hitters look as good as they do. Through tremendous poise, she has kept this offense in rhythm all year.”

Jessica Mollman

Mollman, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was selected second-team All-OVC, her first career honor. After getting off to a slow start in non-conference play, she picked up her performance in conference action finishing seventh in attack percentage (.312) among OVC hitters. She was third on the team in kills per set (2.36) during OVC play and posted a career-high 65 blocks through the regular season’s end.

“Jessica has made great strides over the course of the season,” said Johnson. “She has always had the ability to get kills, but after taking charge of the intellectual aspect of the game, she has really blossomed. Our offense flows when our middles get hot, and Jess has surely been making that a habit of late. Also, Jess has also been a powerful motivating force behind the scenes, and for that we have all better. It’s also important to note that great ball control is fundamental for being able to effectively run attacks out of the middle, and an honor for a middle hitter is as much an honor for our serve receive passers – Champine, Kirstin Distler, and Paige Economos.”

Austin Peay returns to action at the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference volleyball tournament at Jacksonville State. The tournament begins Thursday with first-round action. The Lady Govs, who receive a first-round bye, will face the winner of the Morehead State-Eastern Kentucky first-round pairing in a 7:30 p.m., Friday semifinal contest.

Lipscomb (1-2) got off to a fast start as Austin Peay had difficulty controlling the ball. The Lady Govs began the game making just 2-of-10 from the field and committed six of its 11 first-half turnovers in the opening seven minutes. The Lady Bisons took advantage and opened a nine-point, 13-4, lead with 13:33 remaining.

Junior Ashley Herring led the Lady Govs with 23 points in a victory at Lipscomb, Tuesday. (Keith Dorris/Dorris Photography)

But Austin Peay (1-1) did not allow the lead to reach double-digits as juniors Salem Richardson, Brooke Faulkner and Ashley Herring each hit a basket when the lead threatened to reach 10 points. The field goal by Herring sparked a 16-5 run over seven-plus minutes that ultimately gave Austin Peay its first lead, 25-23 with 2:10 remaining. Freshman Meghan Bussabarger’s field goal with 1:31 left gave APSU a 27-26 halftime advantage.

The Lady Bisons opened the second half again with a better start the Lady Govs. Lipscomb opened the frame with a 10-5 lead to take a four-point, 36-32, lead six minutes into the half. However, Austin Peay responded with the game’s next nine points to retake the lead, 41-36, just four minutes later. The Lady Bisons battled right back with a 8-3 run to tie the game, 44-44, with 8:04 remaining.

Austin Peay took over from there. Herring turned the tide with a three-point field goal to give Austin Peay the lead for good.The lead reached seven points, 55-41, after senior Nicole Jamen hit a pair of free throws. Herring closed the game by making seven of eight free throws in the final 48 seconds to secure the victory.

Herring led all scorers with 23 points, making 6-of-13 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line. She added eight rebounds and three steals in 36 minutes of action. Jamen chipped in nine points and grabbed a game-best 14 rebounds.

Austin Peay dominated the boards, posting a 50-40 rebounding edge. The Lady Govs 18 offensive rebounds turned into 21 second-chance points.

Jenna Bartsokas led Lipscomb with 16 points, one of three players to reach double-digit scoring territory. The Lady Bisons were doomed by a 6-of-17 (35.3 percent) free-throw performance.

Austin Peay returns to action when it hosts nationally-ranked Middle Tennessee in a 7 p.m., Saturday contest at the Dunn Center.

It’s the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and this strange parade of pilgrims can mean only one thing – Bread and Words. For the last 15 years, the University’s languages and literature department has hosted the benefit reading and dinner, showcasing the school’s literary talent while raising money for the local Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen.

The readers at this year’s 15th Annual Bread and Words Benefit are (from left) Chris Burawa, director of the APSU Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, Barry Kitterman, APSU professor, Ashley Wakefield, graduate student, Bethany Ann Cooper, undergraduate student, and William Boakes, graduate student. (Photo By Charles Booth/APSU Public Relations and Marketing)

This year’s Bread and Words event begins at 6 p.m. on Nov. 24 with a dinner of soup, artisan bread and a few desserts provided by Lovin’ Spoonful and Silke’s. An hour later, APSU faculty and students head to the front of the ballroom to read from their work. This year’s readers include Barry Kitterman, an APSU professor and novelist; Chris Burawa, an award-winning poet and director of the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts; graduate students Ashley Wakefield and William Boakes; and undergraduate student Bethany Ann Cooper.

Guitarist Chuck Emery and saxophonist Tony Greaves will also provide music during the evening. The languages and literature department is seeking only a $5 donation for admission into Bread and Words, with all proceeds going to Loaves and Fishes.

For more information, contact Susan Wallace at or 221-7031.

So begins the story of Pippin, a young man seeking his way in the world. This young man just happens to be the son of Emperor Charlemagne. Pippin knows with all his heart that there are great things in store for his life, but he has a hard time figuring out just what they may be. So he sets off to figure out the purpose of his life. Along the way Pippin is manipulated into a variety of situations by the mysterious Leading Player. Intrigue, plots to bring disaster! Humor, handled by a master! Romance, sex presented pastorally! Illusion, fantasy to study! Battles, barbarous and bloody!

The leading player is being played by Chris Hardin an assistant professor of voice and movement at APSU. He brings an intensity to the role worthy of Ben Vereen from the 1973 Broadway Production.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Lead Player, and Pippin

Pippin is played by Daniel Rye. Daniel gives the audience the sense of the whimsical nature that you would expect from the title character. He also projects clear vocals and is pleasant to listen to. For the ladies, he is not hard to look at either!

Russell Qualls plays the Emperor Charlemagne, he is a hard ruler, but cares deeply about his sons. Russell did an admirable job bringing a regal bearing to his role.

The Emperor Charlemagne, Pippin, the Lead Player, and Lewis

Lewis and Fastrada

Lewis (Edward Garcia) is Pippin’s half-brother, together with his mother Fastrada (Jennifer Whitcomb-Olivia) brings the intrigue to the musical. Edward has a definite flair to his acting and I have no doubt you will see big things from him in the future. Jennifer is a very talented dancer, and brings humor to her role.

Catherine (Elizabeth Hadden) is a widow with a young son named Theo (Nathan Brown). Pippin makes his way to her farm to deliver on the romance. It is during his time with her that Pippin finds his way in life. And it is a way that isn’t what the leading player had intended. Elizabeth’s character had several less than pleasant interactions with the leading player and you empathized with her, when she found her courage to stand her ground you could almost cheer. Nathan’s dealing with Pippin was endearing, and I have no doubt in the end, it was because of him that Pippin escaped the clutches of the leading player.

The Lead Player, Theo, Pippin, and Catherine

I saved Berthe (Alaina Runions), Pippin’s Grandmother for last all told hers was one of my favorite roles from the show.  She started out old and decrepit, but ended up quite alluring. She has a fun character!

There is an amazing support cast on this performance which features Dillon Biemesderfer, Riley Braem, Raven Cooper, Humberto Figueroa, Cinthya Griffith, Sarilda Mayberry, Heather Nicholas, Octavious Padgett, Sara Schichtel, L’Oreal Terry, Darius Walls, and Cody Furline. Without their contribution to the performance the leading actors couldn’t have shone nearly as bright.

Berthe and some of the supporting players

The music by Stephen Schwartz is upbeat and catchy. You will want to sing, and that is a good thing because at times during the audience is encouraged to sing along with the actors. I enjoyed the music so much, that after seeing the performance, I went home and purchased the soundtrack which is available both on Apple iTunes, and Amazon.com. In fact, I listened to it as I wrote this review. The quality of the vocals and music from this APSU production at time exceeds those from the Broadway version.

The play is being presented by the APSU Theatre and Dance, along with the APSU Center of Excellence in the Creative Arts. It runs from November 18th-22nd. 7:30pm Wednesday – Saturday. 2:00pm on Sundays.

Ticket prices are very reasonable. $10 for adults, $5 for students and members of the military. If you have any questions about the performance, you can get in touch with the Box Office via phone at (931) 221-7370.

This was a great performance, and if they don’t mind me coming back without a camera, I wouldn’t mind seeing it again! I applaud them all!

Program

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“Behind every number is a student whose dreams are being realized here at Austin Peay,” President Tim Hall said during a public announcement and celebration this morning at the main campus. Faculty, staff, alumni and students attended the event, which culminated in the distribution of free commemorative T-shirts to the campus community.

Now that Fall II 2009 figures from the Austin Peay Center @ Fort Campbell are complete, APSU’s enrollment is 10,188 for the Fall 2009 semester, pending approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission when it meets for its quarterly meeting Nov. 19.

The magic number

Unlike any other state university in Tennessee, APSU cannot file final enrollment data until after the 14th day of classes of the Fall II Term at the Austin Peay Center @ Fort Campbell, which was Nov. 6.
For 2009-10, the University has 9,296 undergraduate students and 892 graduate students, for a total of 10,188 – an 8.37 percent increase from Fall 2008 when the enrollment was 9,401.

APSU President Tim Hall addressing the audience

The number of students attending APSU full time this year is 8,002 – compared with a full-time equivalency (FTE) enrollment of 7,498 in Fall 2008. That represents a 6.7 percent increase.
Enrollment in the APSU College of Graduate Studies has grown 49 percent in a five-year period since 2004. In each of those years, the number of graduate students has increased.

In addition to Hall, Provost Dr. Tristan Denley and Student Government Association President Chris Drew offered comments at today’s event. Former APSU President Dr. Sherry Hoppe, whose administration helped the institution to usher an enrollment growth, also attended, as well as local and state dignitaries.

This week, several activities and events have been planned to celebrate reaching 10,000 students, including student giveaways and faculty and staff receptions.

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The punt return was Holt’s second touchdown – the first coming on a 22-yard run earlier in the third quarter. Holt, the Football Championship Subdivision leader in all-purpose yards, finished with 222 all-purpose yards – 77 rushing, 37 receiving, 25 on kick returns and 83 on punt returns. It also was Holt’s seventh two-touchdown game this season.

Sophomore Ryan White led the Govs offense with 27 carries for 115 yards, becoming only the sixth player in APSU history to run for 1,000 yards–he now has 1,024 yards on the season.

APSU Running Back Ryan White

The Govs running back tandem was buoyed by a strong second-half Govs defense. APSU’s defense bounced back after allowing two first-quarter Tigers touchdowns.

Tennessee Tigers Wide Receiver Travis James scoring the first touchdown of the game

Tennessee State came out in a hurry, scoring its first touchdown on the initial drive. Quarterback Calvin McNairl opened the drive with a 29-yard pass to Travis James. The Tigers smartly worked their way down the field and McNairl hooked up with James again for a nine-yard touchdown pass only 3:01 into the game.

Austin Peay’s defense spent a lot of time on the field in the opening frame, working a nine-play, five-minute TSU drive into a punt. The Govs offense sputtered as well, going three and out on its first drive and picking up a first down on 14-yard White scamper before punting on its second possession.

Tennessee Tigers Wide Receiver Marquez Williams scoring the second touchdown of the game

McNairl completed a 22-yard pass to Marquez Williams for the Tigers second touchdown, to take a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. In all, the Govs defense spent more than 10 minutes on the field during the frame.

Holt and White shared the load in carrying the Govs down the field in the second quarter. The pair converted on a pair of third downs, leading to junior Jontamion Forrest’s three-yard TD plunge with 8:03 till the break.

APSU Running Back Jontamion Forrest scoring the third touchdown of the game

The Tigers led 14-7 going into halftime.

The second-half start resulted in trouble for the Govs when a muffed kick return and a fumble gave TSU the ball inside the Austin Peay 30-yard line. A long run by McNairl set up his third touchdown pass, a seven-yard strike to Ronald Bright, giving Tennessee State a 21-7 lead.

Austin Peay found its groove on the ensuing drive. Freshman quarterback Jake Ryan converted a second-and-long with junior tight end Chris Litteral to get things going. White and Holt took turns slicing up the middle before Holt broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run – capping a six-play, 52-yard drive – that left the Govs trailing 21-14.

Freshman Antwaun Majors recovered a TSU fumble on the subsequent kickoff, giving the Austin Peay offense a start at the TSU 25-yard line. Freshman kicker Stephen Stansell made a 43-yard field goal, narrowing the margin to 21-17 with 9:49 left in the third.

McNairl opened TSU’s next drive with a 10-yard completion, but the Govs held strong over the next set of downs. They stuffed TSU’s Donte Thomas and senior Chris Newell sacked McNairl on second down. The stonewall Govs defense set that stage for Holt’s game-winning punt return, which saw the junior go right and then cut back to his left, picking up a wall of blockers along the way.

The two teams combined for 54 yards of offense in the fourth quarter. Senior LaDarius Davis intercepted McNairl and the Govs withstood a TSU try on fourth-and-five with 2:04 to seal the win.

McNairl finished with 189 yards passing, completing 17 of 23, and also led the Tigers with 51 yards rushing. Joseph Hills was his favorite target, making six catches for 54 yards.

Govs’ sophomore safety Amius Smith had a game-high 12 tackles, including seven solo stops. Newell finished with seven tackles – 2.5 for loss and one sack. Senior Kit Hartsfield also had two tackles for loss.

Ryan completed 8 of 22 passes for 101 yards, connected with six different receivers along the way. The Govs outgained the Tigers 302-293 in total offense.

Austin Peay closes its season with 1 p.m., Saturday, contest at Tennessee Martin.

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Photos from the first Half of the APSU vs TSU Game.

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On senior day, Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team sent its seniors out with a victory, posting a three-set victory (25-14, 27-25, 25-20) against Murray State, Saturday, in Ohio Valley Conference action at the Dunn Center. It was the regular-season finale for both teams.

Austin Peay (22-8, 15-3 OVC) opened the match with a wire-to-wire victory in the opening set. The Lady Govs jumped out to an 8-4 lead and did not look back, leading by as much as 11 points, 22-11, late. The Lady Govs posted 15 kills in the opening set while the Racers were limited to eight kills.

The APSU Lady Govs playing the Murray State Racers

Ilyanna Hernandez making a kill against Murray State

Murray State (12-17, 11-7) put up a battle in the second set and the two teams traded the lead four times. A Jade Guo kill pushed the Racers to set point, 24-23, but the Lady Govs fended it off with sophomore Ilyanna Hernandez’ kill. After trading points, junior Kayla Grantham gave Austin Peay its first set point, 26-25, which in capitalized on immediately with sophomore Paige Economos’ service ace.

The third set was close early with the two teams battling to four ties in the first 12 points, the last coming at 6-6. Back-to-back service aces by Grantham gave the Lady Govs a 13-9 lead which they would not relinquish. The lead was no larger than three until the set’s end.

Senior outside hitter Stephanie Champine led the Lady Govs with 17 kills and added four service aces. Junior middle blocker Kayla Grantham chipped in eight kills and team-best six services aces.

Austin Peay recorded 47 kills in the victory but found separation courtesy a 15-service ace performance as six different players recorded an ace.

Ashley Nenninger making one of her 10 kills

Logan Su led Murray State with 11 kills and Ashley Nenninger chipped in 10 kills. The Racers were held to 39 kills in the contest and did not record a service ace.

Austin Peay begins play in the upcoming Ohio Valley Conference volleyball tournament with a Friday semifinal contest against an opponent to be determined. The tournament begins with first-round action, Thursday, at Jacksonville State’s Pete Mathews Coliseum. The Lady Govs receive a bye into the semifinal round courtesy their second-place finish in the league standings.

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It was the season opener for both teams.

Austin Peay trailed by as much as 17 first-half points but used a 13-2 rally, sparked by a zone defense, near half’s end to cut the deficit to six, 31-25. Additionally, a pair of sophomores also charged the Govs offense—point guard Tyrone Caldwell scored six points, including a three pointer and a traditional three-point play, and forward Anthony Campbell added five, including a long three pointer.

APSU at UT (Courtesy: David Weinhold/UTSports.com)

But No. 10 Tennessee adjusted their offense to APSU’s zone early in the second half as senior forward Tyler Smith, an All-America candidate, scored eight of the first nine points to put the game at 40-25. It wasn’t until 15:40 mark of the second half that APSU scored its first points, a jumper from freshman Chris Reaves.

But the Volunteers’ Cameron Tatum then sandwiched a pair of three pointers around Campbell’s three pointer to Tennessee up by 17, 58-41. That deficit was too much for the young Govs to overcome battling a much taller and physical Volunteer team that wore down APSU in the final 10 minutes to build a more comfortable lead.

Campbell led all scorers with 17 points, going 7 of 12 from the floor, while senior guard Wes Channels added 13 and Caldwell 11. Channels also the led the Govs’ rebounding efforts with eight as APSU was dominated 46-33 on the glass.

The Governors shot just 34.5 percent (19 of 55) from the floor compared to Tennessee’s 49.3 percent (34 of 69).

Scott Hopson, who nailed four three pointers, led Tennessee’s efforts with 16 points while Tatum, who had a trio of three pointers, had 15. Smith finished with a double-double, scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds, as did Wayne Chism, who had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Governors will return to action, 1 p.m., Sunday when they travel to Akron to face the Zips, defending Mid-American tourney champions and the strong favorite to win the league in 2009-10.

Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team quickly dispatched visiting Tennessee Martin in three sets (25-10, 25-9, 25-10), in Ohio Valley Conference action, Friday night, at the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay (21-8, 14-3 OVC) led each of the three sets wire-to-wire and needed just 30 kills in the victory, recording a .324 attack percentage. They did not record more than two attack errors in any of the three sets. The Lady Govs recorded nine service aces in the contest and posted six blocks.

Kirstin Distler firing a setup shot towards UT Martin

Tennessee Martin (8-20, 2-15) played without its two regular setters who were suspended earlier in the week. The Skyhawks posted 19 kills but were charged with 25 attack errors, seven ball handling errors and four service errors in the contest.

Senior outside hitter Stephanie Champine had 10 kills in the contest, her 25th consecutive match of 10 or more kills. Sophomore outside hitter Ilyanna Hernandez chipped in six kills and two blocks.

Lauren Montague led Tennessee Martin with nine kills.

Austin Peay wraps up its regular-season slate with a 2 p.m., Saturday contest against Murray State.

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The Govs signed eight high school seniors and one junior college sophomore to letters of intent. The nine players hail from seven different states: Tennessee, Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey and New York. Four pitchers, including three left-handed hurlers, are included in the count along with two catchers and three fielders.

An APSU Baseball Game from 2008

“Each year’s recruiting class is extremely important if you are going to consistently compete for championships at any level,” said McClure. “To that point, we believe our 2010 class looms large in our program’s ability to be successful on the regional and national level. For Austin Peay to continue to compete for championships and have the kind of success we want in both the OVC and in the NCAA tournament over the next few years, this class needed to be full of talent and depth.”

Following the 2010 season the Govs will see 11 players depart due to graduation, including four pitchers. The Govs will lose pitchers Zach Gerler, Stephen Huff, Ricky Marshall and David Vicini. In addition, the team’s two most experienced catchers – Trey Lucas and Josh Purcell, who combined to catch 48 of the Govs 52 games last season –will depart the program.

“I am very excited about this group’s talent and believe it could be the strongest signing class in my twenty-plus years at Austin Peay,” McClure said. “With the loss of four of our most experienced and talented arms on the pitching staff, we had many needs, including attempting to replace 11 seniors overall. We set a goal to sign ten to twelve players with the desire for this class of incoming freshman to be a top 25-rated recruiting class. Our staff has worked extremely hard to prepare for this event. Under the direction of Joel Mangrum, our new recruiting coordinator/pitching coach, and assistant coach Jake Peterson, I believe we are very close to doing that.”

2011 Austin Peay Baseball Incoming Class

• Mason Caldwell, 6-0, 190-pound, left-handed pitcher, Bartlett, Tenn. (Bartlett HS)
• Rolando Gautier, 6-2, 185-pound, left-handed pitcher/outfielder, Pennsauken, N.J. (Pennsauken HS)
• Chris Gili, 6-0, 160-pound, infielder, Manorville, N.Y. (Eastport-South Manor HS)
• Jordan Hankins, 6-0, 185-pound, infielder/outfielder, O’Fallon, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt North HS)
• Hunter Smith, 6-1, 180-pound, outfielder, Humboldt, Tenn. (University School of Jackson)
• Zach Toney, 6-3, 220-pound, left-handed pitcher, D’Iberville, Miss. (Jones County JC)
• Peter Torres, 5-11, 185-pound, catcher, Miami, Fla. (Coral Park Senior HS)
• A.J. Walkenhorst, 6-1, 165-pound, right-handed pitcher, St. Peters, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt South HS)
• Matt Wollenzin, 6-1, 195-pound, catcher, Lakewood, Colo. (Green Mountain HS)

Individual Biographical Sketches and head coach Gary McClure’s comments

PITCHERS

Mason Caldwell

6-0, 190, LHP, Bartlett, Tenn. (Bartlett HS)

Career Notes: Under head coach Phil Clark, compiled a 4-2 record and 2.76 ERA as a junior… recorded 44 strikeouts in 43 innings… led the Panthers to a third-place state finish and was ranked ninth in final Tennessee Baseball Report Top 10 (all classifications)… made two relief appearances in 2009 Class AAA state tournament, finishing 1-1 with nine strikeouts in eight innings, surrendering just three hits… at the plate finished junior season batting .307 with 27 RBI and 10 doubles… selected to Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association’s Region 7/8 Team… selected to District 14-AAA all-district squad as a junior.

McClure Comments: “We believe Mason will come in and compete for an important role on our pitching staff and team as freshman. He has a bright future at Austin Peay and we look forward to his development and progression as a pitcher. Next year will be Mason’s first year not playing a position and pitching and we know that he is going to be able to contribute right away.”

Rolando Gautier

6-2, 185, LHP/OF, Pennsauken, N.J. (Pennsauken HS)

Career Notes: Under head coach Pete Nardello, was a left-handed pitcher and played outfield… at the plate, batted .500 with 11 doubles and three home runs… on the mound was 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA… second team All-South Jersey selection… first-team all-conference… selected to play on 2009 East Coast Professional Showcase… was one of three incoming APSU players (Chris Gili and P.J. Torres the others) who played with the South Florida Bandits.

McClure Comments: “Rolando has very good control and great mound presence, things we look for in high school pitchers. He also has a great upside because of the looseness of his arm and his body type. I believe he has the chance to play a major role on both our pitching staff and as a position player as a true freshman. He is a very mature young man who I believe can handle both the physical and mental adjustments necessary to be successful immediately at the Division I level, and I have no doubt that the tools are in place to do so.”

Zach Toney

6-3, 220, LHP, D’Iberville, Miss. (Jones County JC)

Career Notes: Under head coach Christian Ostrander, led the Bobcats with a 10-1 record and 2.67 ERA… made 19 appearances, including 13 starts, throwing 77.2 innings… threw four complete games and also recorded a save… allowed just 72 hits, struck out a team-best 85 batters… was a first-team All- Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges selection and led team to school-best 33-16 mark… prepped at D’Iberville High School

McClure Comments: “Zach is a gamer. He wants the ball when the game is on the line. We feel Zach is going to play a big part in the future success of this program. He’s a blue-collar kid that has worked for everything he has achieved. Toney will command a fastball that will sit in the upper 80’s and will touch a lot of low 90s, a sharp two-plane slider that has gotten better every time out this fall, and a change-up that he can throw in any count.”

A.J. Walkenhorst

6-1, 195, RHP, St. Peters, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt South HS)

Career Notes: Under head coach Keith DeShurley, compiled an 8-2 record and 1.41 ERA as a junior… in 69.2 innings pitched, struck out 68 batters and walked just 19… tossed shutout in district championship game… threw complete game, allowed one unearned run and struck out seven in state semifinal contest as team won Class 4 MSHSAA Championship… was a second-team All St. Louis Metro selection and a third-team all-state selection… was a one of two incoming players (Jordan Hankins the other) to play on St. Louis Pirates summer travel team run by former Govs standout Rick Strickland.

McClure Comments: “I have seen A.J. pitch a lot and he has the ability to make a major difference in our starting rotation right away as a freshman. He is a competitor who comes right at you with everything he has and refuses to lose any battle. A.J. already understands what it takes to be successful on the mound.”

CATCHERS

P.J. Torres

5-11, 185, C, Miami, Fla. (Miami Coral Park Senior HS)

Career Notes: Under head coach Tony Casa, batted .363 with five home runs and 17 RBI as a junior… caught every game as a sophomore and junior… was an honorable mention All- Dade selection by the Miami Herald as a junior… was one of three incoming APSU players (Chris Gili and P.J. Torres the others) who played with the South Florida Bandits.

McClure Comments: “P.J. has a chance to be as good as any catcher we have had in our program since I have been here, and we have had some great ones including A.J. Ellis, who is currently in the big leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I like P.J.’s toughness and feel for the game. He has grown up in an area where the competitive level of baseball is greater than almost anywhere in the country. P.J. – like Wollenzin, our other catching signee – can really swing the bat and also hits for power from the right side. I couldn’t feel any better about the situation we will have with these two young men behind the plate for the next few years.”

Matt Wollenzin

6-1, 195, C, Lakewood, Colo. (Green Mountain HS)

Career Notes: Under head coach Brad Madden, hit .559 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI in 20 games as a junior… was Jefferson County League “Most Valuable Player” and all-conference selection… selected to All-Colorado Class 5A honorable mention squad… hit walk-off grand slam in 14th inning of district championship game to advance Green Mountain to state tournament, also had a two-run home run in seventh inning of same game… was selected and played in 2009 Area Code Games.

McClure Comments: “After seeing Matt play and having followed the progress of his junior season we feel Matt has the opportunity to come in and hit in the middle of the lineup and contribute heavily as a freshman. Matt – like P.J, our other catching signee – can really swing the bat and also hits for power. I feel confident about the situation we will have behind the plate with these two young men the next few years.”

FIELDERS

Chris Gili

6-0, 160, IF, Manorville, N.Y. (Eastport-South Manor HS)

Career Notes: Under head coach Tom Digennaro, batted .425 with five home runs and 30 RBI as a junior… was selected All-County as a junior and All-League as a sophomore and junior.

McClure Comments: “Chris is a very fundamentally sound infielder with good feet and hands who possesses the arm strength to play either position in the middle infield. He also is a solid hitter who makes good, consistent contact and does all the little things correct on offense. As a player overall, Chris loves the game and knows how it is played, I believe he understands the kind of player he has to be. He is not going to beat himself and therefore we believe he will develop into very nice player as he matures and gains strength.”

Jordan Hankins

6-0, 185, IF/OF, O’Fallon, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt North HS)

Career Notes: Played under head coach Dan Springman… Honorable mention St. Louis Post All-Metro Utility as a junior… first-team ESPN RISE Magazine All-St. Louis Area as a pitcher… hit .473 with two home runs, nine doubles and 27 RBI… on the mound, went 6-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 45 innings-pitched, striking out 60 and allowing only 13 earned runs… named a Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association (MHSBCA) All-State Honorable mention as a utility player… was the Panther’s Most Valuable Player in 2009… has a career 17-3 record on the mound… was a one of two incoming players (A.J. Walkenhorst the other) to play on St. Louis Pirates summer travel team run by former Govs standout Rick Strickland.

McClure Comments: “Jordan is very valuable defensive player, because he has the ability to play a number of positions well. He plays third base, second base and can play either corner outfield spot. During this last year he also started catching, where he has improved tremendously. His versatility and understanding of how the game is played along with his strong bat will go a long way toward getting him in the lineup early in his career.”

Hunter Smith

6-1, 180, OF, Humboldt, Tenn. (University School of Jackson)

Career Notes: Played under head coach Brad Dyer… Bruins were TSSAA Class AA runners-up in his freshman season… as a sophomore, hit .484 with six home runs and 17 doubles… was a Tennessee Sportswriters Association All-State selection…. named to the 2008 Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Region Six team… named to All-District 14 team as well as earning District 14 Most Valuable Player honors in leading the Bruins to a District 14, Region 8 and Sectional titles before falling in the second round of the state tournament… as a junior, led the Bruins to a third consecutive district championship and was named all-tournament… batted .390 with 20 doubles and 32 RBI.

McClure Comments: “I have seen Hunter play quite a bit and he seems to find a way to get the big hit or make the big play each time. He is a pretty strong kid coming out of high school who has the tools and the knowledge to be a very good college baseball player. He runs a 60-yard dash in 6.7 to 6.8 seconds, has a very strong throwing arm, and swings the bat well. Hunter loves to play and knows how to play the game.”

This weekend also will bring to a close the careers of three Lady Govs players – Stephanie Champine, Kirstin Distler and Marisa Jordan. That trio will be recognized before the start of Saturday’s contest against Murray State.

Austin Peay wraps up the 2009 regular-season with a pair of Ohio Valley Conference matches this weekend. (Courtesy: Lois Jones/Austin Peay)

Austin Peay (20-8, 13-3 OVC) is assured of a second-place finish in this season’s OVC race after winning at Tennessee Tech, last Saturday. It is the program’s best league finish since winning the regular-season crown in 1992 with a 15-1 OVC record. The Lady Govs also secured their second consecutive 20-win season – its ninth 20-win campaign all-time.

The Lady Govs return to the Dunn Center after concluding a five-match road trip with a 3-2 record – the lone losses coming to Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season champion Lipscomb and OVC regular-season champion Jacksonville State. Champine led the Lady Govs with 83 kills during the road trip, averaging 4.15 kills per set. She enters the weekend ranked 22nd nationally in kills per set (4.34).

Tennessee Martin (8-19, 2-14) recently ended a nine-match losing streak with a five-set victory against future OVC opponent SIU Edwardsville, last Friday. Junior Lauren Montague leads the Skyhawks offense with a 3.03 kill per set average, recording 282 kills this season.

Murray State (9-16, 9-6) enters the final regular-season weekend with a five-match win streak after posting a four-set victory against Southeast Missouri, Tuesday. The Racers are one of two teams (Jacksonville State the other) to defeat the Lady Govs during the OVC slate, winning a four-set contest, Oct. 16, in Murray. Sophomore Logan Su received the league’s “Offensive Player of the Week” award, Monday, after recording 22 kills and a .488 attack percentage in two matches.

“I look at this weekend as our last opportunity to improve prior to the OVC Tournament,” said Lady Govs head coach Mike Johnson. “Equally as important, we are celebrating the athletic careers of three exceptional people prior to the Murray State match. We’re hoping all the football fans show up just a few hours early to see how special these athletes are.”

APSU signed 6-9, 225-pound center Matt Hasse (pronounced Hass-ee), of Napierville (Ill.) High School; 6-7, 215-pound forward/center Joe Harms, of Belleville (lll.) Althoff; 6-6, 230-pound forward Will Triggs, of Edwardsville (Ill.) High School, and 6-5, 180-pound guard Thomas Greer, of West Carroll (Atwood) High School. All four prep players will be a part of the 2010-11 recruiting class.

Hasse and Harms immediately will offer APSU something it has been somewhat lacking in recent times, legitimate low-post play.

“I think that is something that really stands out, we have signed some kids that have some size,” APSU coach Dave Loos said. “We have been undersized for so long that this is probably big news.  Joe Harms is 6-7 and Matt Hasse is 6-10 on a good day. Matt also has some size to him as far as his body build. Joe is a left hander who is really aggressive and has a good stroke. They give us something (size) we haven’t had in awhile.

“Both of them, in addition to being good prospects from a basketball standpoint, are certainly not guys you are going to have to worry about in the classroom. They are both top-notch student—I think Matt is going to be a physics major and Joe is just a terrific student. It makes a little easier on the old coach.”

Their respective styles and background remind Loos of another former Govs post player, 6-8 Zac Schlader, who played from 2002-05.

“They are reminiscent of Zac in a lot of ways,” Loos said. “They are great guys with a lot of character about them and terrific in the classroom. If they turn out to be the kind of player that Zac Schlader was I will just absolutely tickled to death because he was a pretty good basketball player for us.“

Hasse averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior and was named a Top 50 recruit in Illinois. Harms, meanwhile, averaged only 5.5 points per game a year ago but shot 85.5 percent (59 of 69) from the floor for 22-8 Althoff, which lost to Champaign Centennial 65-60 in the Class 3A Springfield Super-Sectional—Centennial went on to win the state title. His strong offseason during AAU play saw his stock rise dramatically.

Triggs, meanwhile, averaged 15.9 points, shooting 64 percent (159 of 263) and 10.7 rebounds a game last season. He scored in double figures 26 times, including 15 double-doubles in 28 games as Edwardsville finished 22-6.

“Will Triggs is a big-bodied guy who is competitive, who is tough and is pretty athletic,” Loos said. “That gives us a guy who I think is going to be a good OVC-type player. He is that mid-sized guy who is really strong. We are really excited about him. Of course, he is a former teammate of Anthony (Campbell). We found out in a hurry that kids coming out of that program are pretty well coached. Triggs will be like that too. Mike Waldo just does a terrific job at that school.”

Greer, meanwhile, is the only guard the Govs signed early. And he is a big guard, someone who is reminiscent to a pair of former Govs, Todd Babington with his offensive skills and Rhet Wierzba with his basketball acumen.

Greer averaged 24 points and 9.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game for West Carroll High School, where he is coached by his father, Mike. He helped lead West Carroll to a 16-8 record a year ago and the District 13-A championship.  He was first-team Class A All-State and was the 2008-09 District 13-A Most Valuable Player.

Greer already has scored 1880 career points entering his senior season. He is a 20-10 McDonalds All-America nominee and Class A Mr. Basketball candidate.

“Thomas is 6-4, 6-5 kid who can shoot it, can pass it, can handle it…just really knows how to play,” Loos said. “He is a coach’s son and spent his whole life in the gym.  He just has a real feel and knack for the game—he has just been around it his entire life.  We are really excited about what he can bring to the floor.

“We are getting some guys from different programs that have some outstanding coaches. I don’t Matt’s coach that well because he is new, but certainly the other three guys are very accomplished and that gives them a leg up when they arrive. They know what this game is about and how to go about playing it.