At a time when schools across the nation have been limited in their ability to add, or in some cases even maintain varsity collegiate sports, Austin Peay State University was fortunate to add a 16th varsity sport this spring with the inaugural season of beach volleyball.
Under the tutelage of head coach Taylor Mott, the Governors kicked of their first spring beach season at the UAB Blazer Beach Duals, with Ginny Gerig and Jenna Panning earning the program's first win with a 21-14, 19-21, 15-13 win against the Blazers, March 5. The following day, the Governors would knock off Jacksonville State, 4-1, for their first team win.
In the same road trip, Austin Peay beach volleyball picked up its first sweep, against Huntingdon, March 12, with all five pairings winning in straight sets.
The following weekend, the Governors hosted the first of three home tournaments, welcoming Missouri Baptist, Carson-Newman, Central Arkansas and UT Martin to the Franklin Beach House. The Govs picked up wins against the Eagles and Skyhawks in their inaugural home event.
Austin Peay would later sweep UT Martin in a home-and-away series near the end of the season.
The Govs won seven matches in their inaugural beach season. The future for Austin Peay's newest sport couldn't be brighter.
2016-17 Top 10
No. 10 – Austin Peay claims OVC Institutional Sportsmanship Honor
No. 9 – Govs host inaugural ESPEAY's
No. 8 – Pitts closes APSU career in style
No. 7 – Williams obliterates league AP yardage mark
