COOKEVILLE - Sophomore Nikki Doyle posted 14 kills to lead Austin Peay State University's volleyball team to a three-set sweep (25-13, 25-19, 27-25) of Tennessee Tech in Ohio Valley Conference action, Friday night, at the Eblen Center.

Austin Peay (12-2, 3-0 OVC) got good performances both offensively and defensively. The Lady Govs offense recorded 43 kills and a .284 attack percentage. Meanwhile, the defense registered 50 digs and six blocks to hold the Tennessee Tech offense to 29 kills and a .084 attack percentage.

After leading the first set nearly wire-to-wire, Austin Peay needed late rallies to clinch the second and third sets. The Lady Govs scored five consecutive point to end the second set, 25-19. Austin Peay saw a three-point, 23-20, lead in the third set evaporate, but used consecutive kills by junior Ilyanna Hernandez to win the set, 27-25.

Doyle finished with 14 kills and committed just two attack errors to finish with a team-best .353 attack percentage. Hernandez added 10 kills and senior Taylor Skinner chipped in eight kills.

"We talked to our setters this week about making sure we distributed the ball better," said Lady Govs head coach Haley Janicek. "We did a much better job of mixing up where we attacked from tonight. Both Ilyanna and Nikki came through with some big swings when we needed them to and everyone else provided what we needed."

Leah Meffert and Marie Peddicord, Tennessee Tech's (2-12, 0-3 OVC) top two hitters entering the match, had sub-par outings to hamper the home team's effort. Meffert finished with six kills and seven attack errors (-.027 attack percentage) and Peddicord had four kills and five errors (-.091 attack percentage). Instead, Natalie Penrod led the Golden Eagles with seven kills.

"We served (Tennessee Tech) really aggressively," said Janicek. "We were able to get them out of their system offensively. It kept their hitters from getting good looks. Also, our defense really did the job. It was by far one of our best nights blocking and playing defense."

Austin Peay continues its two-match road trip with a 2 p.m., Saturday contest at Jacksonville State (7-7, 2-1 OVC).

- AP -