CLARKSVILLE - Sophomore Nikki Doyle recorded 13 kills to lead Austin Peay State University's volleyball team to its seventh-straight victory with a three-set sweep (26-24, 25-20, 25-19) victory against UNC Asheville, Saturday morning, at the Buccaneer Classic hosted by East Tennessee at Brooks Gymnasium.

Austin Peay (8-1) did not have an easy time recording its season's eighth victory as UNC Asheville (4-5) forced 28 ties and 14 lead changes in the three-set affair. The Lady Govs used late-set scoring runs to seal the victory in each set.

The opening set was a preview of the back-and-forth nature of the set with 14 ties and six lead changes. Neither team enjoyed more than a two-point lead throughout the set. The Lady Govs actually trailed 24-22 before scoring the set's final four points. Junior Kayla Grantham scored the first point of the rally and was followed by a UNCA attack error that tied the set, 24-24. Junior Ilyanna Hernandez followed with consecutive kills to finish off the set, APSU winning by a 26-24 margin.

Austin Peay also trailed midway through the second set, 14-11, but used a 9-2 run to take a 20-16 lead. Doyle and Grantham each had a pair of kills in the scoring run. Senior Jessica Mollman would added a pair of kills in the closing moments, including the set-winning kill, as Austin Peay won a 25-20 decision to take the two-set lead.

The Lady Govs took all the drama out of the third set early, using a 13-5 run to build a 22-15 lead and they would not look back en route to the 25-19 match-sealing victory.

Doyle's 13 kills came with four attack errors as she posted a .290 attack percentage. Grantham finished with 11 kills, her second consecutive match reaching double-digit kill territory, and recorded a .269 attack percentage. Hernandez and Mollman each recorded nine kills.

Cindi Miller led UNC Asheville with 15 kills as the Bulldogs were limited to 34 total kills.

Austin Peay closes its stay at the Buccaneer Classic with a 3:30 p.m. contest against UNC Greensboro.

- AP -