LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Austin Peay State University's volleyball team split its final two matches at the Kentucky Classic, Saturday. The Lady Govs fell to host and eventual tournament champion Kentucky, 3-0 (30-22, 30-24, 30-10), before defeating Georgetown, 3-1 (24-30, 30-25, 30-17, 30-17).

With its offense struggling lately, Austin Peay (4-4) met Kentucky, the team it was least likely to get its offense on track against. The Wildcats (6-1) ? picked second in the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division ? limited the APSU offense to only 30 kills and a .049 attack percentage for the match. Most of the Wildcats defensive work came at the net where they padded their SEC-best blocking average with 12 blocks.

Senior Dodi Szymska led Austin Peay with 12 kills against the stifling UK defense. Freshman Sarah Alisaleh continued her impressive performance at the service line, scoring three service aces.

Kentucky's Nicole Britenriker had 15 kills to lead all hitters while Queen Nzenwa went errorless on the attack with 10 kills on 15 attempts for a .667 attack percentage. Nzenwa also led the defensive effort with 10 total blocks (two solo-eight assists).

Austin Peay salvaged its stay in Lexington with a win against Georgetown ? the second consecutive season APSU has won a match against a Big East opponent, knocking off West Virginia last season. The Lady Govs had to rally after losing the match's first game to post their season's fourth victory ? tying their total from all of last season.

Georgetown (0-6) came out with all cylinders firing in the first game, posting 19 kills and a .400 attack percentage. However, the Austin Peay defense clamped down the rest of the way, limiting the Hoyas to a .141 attack percentage in the match's final three games.

Szymska posted 20 kills against Georgetown and was named to the Kentucky Classic all-tournament team after finishing the weekend with a team-best 46 kills (4.60 kills per game). Sophomore Kirstin Distler added 15 kills and freshmen Jessica Mollman and Taylor Skinner each chipped in 10 kills. Alisaleh added another three service aces against the Hoyas while Caroline Frens and Kristen Kirch each added another three kills.

Dana Dumas led Georgetown with 15 kills and Kortney Robinson added 12 kills. The Hoyas defense recorded 12 blocks, Katherine Niesen led the way with seven blocks.

Austin Peay takes the upcoming week off before traveling the Memphis for the Tiger Invitational, Friday and Saturday. There the Lady Govs will face Arkansas-Little Rock, Memphis and head coach Jenny Hazelwood's alma mater, Mississippi State.

- AP -