Clarksville, TN – After starting the season with eight matches on the road, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) beach volleyball team returns home for the first time this season when it hosts Central Arkansas, Lindenwood, and UT Martin for the Governors Beach Challenge, Friday and Saturday, at the Govs Beach Volleyball Complex.
Austin Peay State University opens the weekend with a Friday noon match against Central Arkansas and a Friday 2:00pm match against Lindenwood before playing Saturday 10:00am and 2:00pm. matches against Lindenwood and UT Martin to wrap up the home weekend.
This weekend will be the Governors first matches against Central Arkansas and UT Martin this season and their first-ever match against Lindenwood. Austin Peay State University is 14-3 all-time against UT Martin – its most common opponent in program history – and won its last two meetings with the Skyhawks last season. The APSU Govs are 2-4 all-time against Central Arkansas, but won their last two meetings with the Bears during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
In last season’s Governors Beach Challenge, Austin Peay State University went 3-0 with wins against Carson-Newman, Jacksonville State, and UT Martin. The APSU Govs went 11-1 at the Govs Beach Volleyball Complex during the 2022 season and are 29-15 at home during the program’s seven-year history.
The Preseason ASUN All-Conference tandem of Marlayna Bullington and Kelsey Mead have played in the No. 1 position for the Governors in all eight matches this season while posting a team-best five wins. In the past two seasons, Bullington and Mead have played together exclusively while compiling a 26-13 record.
Chloee McDaniel and Mikayla Powell have played in the No. 2 position for head coach Taylor Mott in all eight matches this season and have posted a 3-5 record. Next in line is the duo of Elizabeth Wheat and Jamie Seward, who have gone 5-3 while playing on the No. 3 and No. 4 lines. Wheat and Seward have a pair of wins in the No. 3 position and are 3-0 when slotted in the No. 4 spot – where Austin Peay is a perfect 8-0 as a team this season.
Graham has played most of her matches with Tristin Smith on the No. 5 line, where the duo is 3-4 overall this season. Smith also partnered with Payton Deidesheimer in the No. 5 position once, but the freshman duo dropped that match to Liberty.
Next Up For APSU Beach Volleyball
After this weekend’s home event, the Austin Peay State University beach volleyball team will travel to the EKU Beach Tournament, March 24th-25th, where it takes on Eastern Kentucky, Tusculum, Ottawa (Kan.), and Liberty in Richmond, Kentucky.
For news and updates on everything Governors beach volleyball, follow along on Twitter and Instagram (@GovsBVB) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com.
Governors Beach Challenge Schedule
Friday, March 17th
Noon – Central Arkansas vs. Austin Peay
2:00pm – Lindenwood vs. Austin Peay
4:00pm – Central Arkansas vs. Lindenwood
Saturday, March 18th
10:00am – Lindenwood vs. Austin Peay
Noon – UT Martin vs. Central Arkansas
2:00pm – UT Martin vs. Austin Peay
