MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Senior opposite hitter Kirstin Distler posted 11 kills as Austin Peay's volleyball team opened its stay at the Marquette Invitational with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-19) sweep of Butler, Friday.

Austin Peay's (2-2) offense had little trouble throughout the contest, posting 40 kills while committing only 10 errors for a season-high .303 attack percentage. Distler was steady throughout the match, finishing with a season-best 11 kills and committed only two errors for a .450 attack percentage. Sophomore Taylor Skinner chipped in eight kills and a team-best .538 attack percentage.

All three sets were hard fought with the Lady Govs only securing each set in the waning moments. Austin Peay and Butler battled through the opening set with three lead changes and seven ties - the last tie occurring at 10-10. The Lady Govs broke the set open with a 7-2 run and a later 7-3 run put the contest at set point which it secured courtesy a Distler kill.

Austin Peay broke out to an 8-2 lead in the second set but watched Butler battle back to within two points at 15-13. The Lady Govs would maintain that lead as the two teams traded points. The Bulldogs finally leveled the score at 23-23 with three consecutive points, including consecutive kills by Porshia Allen. Following an Austin Peay timeout, Skinner and Distler combined for consecutive points to win the set.

The final set saw the two teams trade the lead eight times and force 10 ties, a battle which lasted until a Jessica Wolfe kill forced a 17-17 tie. Austin Peay scored eight of the sets final 10 points to seal the match.

Butler's (4-2) offense recorded 36 kills in the match but also committed 22 errors, limiting it to a .127 attack percentage. Wolfe led the Bulldogs with 11 kills but had seven of the team's attack errors.

Austin Peay continues play at the Marquette Invitational with a 5 p.m. contest against Binghamton.

-AP-