APSU Sports Information
Murray, KY – Logan Carger led a quartet of players in double-digit kill territory but Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team could not solve SIU Edwardsville in a four-set loss (23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-27) during Friday’s semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Conference Volleyball Championship at Racer Arena.
The two teams fought through 40 ties and 15 lead changes for the match, including 12 ties in both the third and fourth sets.
SIUE (22-7) fended off an APSU run late in the first set. The Govs closed to a point, 16-15, thanks to back-to-back kills from Kaitlyn Teeter and Cecily Gable.
However, the Cougars responded with four straight points, including a kill and service ace from Jackie Scott to take control of the set en route to a 25-23 victory.
Austin Peay (24-11) opened the second set with four straight points, capped by a service ace from Kristen Stucker. But SIUE quickly charged back with its own 4-0 run to take a 6-5 lead. Neither team enjoyed a comfortable lead the rest of the way, SIUE only claiming the set after a Taylor Joens kill and a Mallory Mangun service ace.
The third set was a nail-biter throughout with the Govs three point lead at 16-13 the set’s largest lead. Austin Peay gained some control late with back-to-back points on a Christina White kill and a Kristen Stucker service ace for a 22-20 lead. However, they needed two tries at set point, claiming the set after an SIUE error.
Austin Peay seemed to have control of the fourth set late, leading by four points at 22-18. The Govs Logan Carger supplied two kills in a 5-1 run that built the small advantage. But the Govs were charged with three errors in a 4-0 SIUE run that leveled the set 22-22.
The Govs got to set point, 24-23, after a White kill, but surrendered the next two points to give SIUE control. APSU fended off the first match point try but could not survive a second and lost the match.
Carger led the Govs with a 13-kill performance and was joined in double-digit kill territory by Slay (12), White (11) and Teeter (11). The Govs finished with 57 kills but were outhit despite posting a better attack percentage (.245-.195).
Emily Harrison led SIUE with 15 kills with Jackie Scott (11) and Taylor Held (13) joining her in double-digit kill territory. SIUE finished with 60 kills and added eight service aces in the win.
Inside The Box Score
Ebright the Elder Statesman
Senior Sammie Ebright saw her brilliant four-year career come to a close in the semifinals. It was her 133rd career match, breaking the Austin Peay record and her 478 sets played are second-most in program history. Ebright finished her APSU career with 773 kills, 928 digs and 151 blocks.
Carger Closes Strong
Carger closed her sophomore campaign with a roar, posting double-digit kills in six of her last seven matches. Eight-seven of her 130 kills came in that final seven match stretch that saw her average 3.11 kills per set.
Slay’s Final Tally
Ashley Slay‘s much-improved junior campaign saw her close with 397 kills – 19th most in a single season. Her .297 attack percentage for the season was fifth-best in program history and Slay finished with the seventh-best blocks average (0.91 per set) in program history. Not a bad place to start for a rising senior.
Turning to the Beach
The countdown begins for the start of Austin Peay’s inaugural beach volleyball season. The Govs will open the beach program March 3rd… less than four months away.
Austin Peay’s indoor season comes to an end with the loss. The Govs now begin preparing for the inaugural beach volleyball campaign, which begins March 3rd.
