HIGH POINT, N.C. ? The Jenny Hazelwood era got off to a winning start as Austin Peay State University's volleyball team opened its 2007 campaign with a 3-0 (30-20, 30-16, 30-24) victory against Kennesaw State, Friday, in the UNC-Greensboro/High Point University Triad Challenge.

Austin Peay (1-0) dominated the match through its service game, recording 13 service aces, including a team-high four by freshman Sarah Alisaleh. The Lady Govs effort was helped by Kennesaw State, which committed 14 service errors in the match.

“We had a game plan with our serving to serve tough and into corners,” said Hazelwood, in her first season as Lady Govs head coach. “We did a good job with our service game throughout the match. Kennesaw State would make an adjustment to what we were doing and we would adjust to counter their move.

“It was a good match. Kennesaw State played hard throughout but they are a young team and it showed at times. We were able to get into a groove offensively and work on things we had done in practice, so it was a good start to the weekend.”

In the opening game, APSU trailed 3-1 early on but scored eight consecutive points, including three kills by senior Dodi Szymska, to take a 9-3 lead. KSU would close to within one point, 11-10, but could only watch as the Lady Govs scored six of the next seven points to put the game safely away.

Game two was all Austin Peay as it broke out to a 5-0 lead on its way to the 30-16 victory. Kennesaw State was unable to get its offense on track, scoring back-to-back points just four times in the game. The Lady Govs recorded seven service aces in the game, four by Alisaleh alone.

The Owls fought valiantly in game three, forcing 16 lead changes and nine ties. KSU held a 14-11 advantage and forced Hazelwood to take her only timeout of the match. Following the timeout, the Lady Govs grabbed the lead with four consecutive points. A later 5-0 run gave Austin Peay a 26-22 advantage and they would not look back.

Junior Caroline Frens led the Lady Govs with 11 kills and a .500 attack percentage. Freshman Taylor Skinner added nine kills and Szymska chipped in nine kills. Defensively, Austin Peay was not challenged, needing only 37 digs ? including senior Kristen Kirch's team-best 11 digs ? to pull out the victory.

“Caroline swung well from the right side all match,” said Hazelwood. “She also had a few kills from the back row and was consistent overall offensively. If she can continue to play this well she will relieve a lot of pressure on our offense.”

Sabrita Gulley led Kennesaw State's offense with 10 kills and a .350 attack percentage. The Owls won the front-row defensive battle by a 5-3 margin in blocks.

Austin Peay continues play in the Triad Challenge with a 6:30 p.m. (CDT) contest against co-host High Point.

- AP -