KNOXVILLE – Behind the duo of senior Jada Stotts and freshman Ashley Slay, Austin Peay State University's volleyball team posted a three-set victory (25-18, 25-17, 25-23) against Tennessee, Thursday night, in the opening match of the DISH Lady Vol Classic at Thompson Boling Arena. It is Austin Peay's first-ever volleyball win against Tennessee.
The match did not start auspiciously for Austin Peay (4-9) as Tennessee threatened to run away in the opening set, scoring the match's first five points – two courtesy Austin Peay errors. However, the Lady Govs countered with six consecutive points to build a 12-8 lead it would not relinquish en route to the 25-18 win. Austin Peay's offense chugged away in that opening set, recording 15 kills against just two errors for an impressive .433 mark.
However, Austin Peay's offense found a higher gear in the second set. The Lady Govs scored the set's first four points and broke out to an 8-3 lead thanks to six kills by six different players. Tennessee could get no closer than four points the rest of the way as Austin Peay posted the 25-17 victory. After its impressive first set effort, APSU recorded 14 kills in the second set while committing just one attack error for an incredible .565 attack percentage.
Tennessee (5-6) came out of the break determined to avoid a repeat of the first two sets. Austin Peay did open with a 4-1 run, but could not extend its lead. The Lady Vols reeled the Lady Govs back in slowly, eventually tying the set at 12-12. That set off a flurry of 10 ties and two lead changes over the next 20 points. Austin Peay finally gained a crucial two-point advantage at 24-22 after a Tennessee service error was followed by Stotts' final kill on the night. The two teams traded service errors after with APSU surviving for a 25-23 victory.
"What an incredible effort by this team," said Lady Govs head coach Taylor Mott. "Tonight is proof this can be a simple game. We had only eight attack errors and posted seven blocks. Jada and Ashley had the big numbers but it was about everyone playing as a team and doing their job."
Stotts led all hitters with a 17-kill performance, finishing with just three attack errors for a .424 attack percentage. Slay, making only her fourth start, recorded 12 kills with just one error for a match-best .647 attack percentage and also added five blocks. Junior setter Aubrey Marsellis had four kills, five blocks and 35 assists in the win.
Austin Peay registered 46 kills in the contest. The Lady Govs .384 attack percentage is its 12th best mark all-time and best mark since the 2012 season. Austin Peay also recorded seven blocks in the win.
Jimenez led Tennessee with 13 kills and a .414 attack percentage. The Lady Vols recorded 41 kills at a .262 attack percentage but could not keep pace with the Lady Govs.
Austin Peay will have a short night to celebrate its victory. The Lady Govs return to action bright and early with a 9 a.m. (CT), Friday contest against Montana State followed by a 4 p.m. outing against Mercer.
