CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay State University's volleyball team recovered from a sluggish start to win in four sets (26-28, 25-21, 25-14, 25-13) against Jacksonville State, Saturday, in Ohio Valley Conference action at the Dunn Center.

The opening set was a battle throughout with neither team enjoying more than a two point lead until Jacksonville State (9-17, 7-9 OVC)  scored four straight points to build a 22-18 lead. Jacksonville State got to set point first, 24-21, but Austin Peay rallied to tie the set, 24-24, and force overtime. The Lady Govs fought off set points at 25-24 and 26-25, but could not stave off a fifth set point - committing an attack error to hand the set to the Gamecocks, 28-26.

After the opening set, Austin Peay (9-18, 7-9 OVC) had a much easier time of things in the final three sets. The Lady Govs had to fend off a late third set charge - the Gamecocks tying the set, 19-19, but failing to take the lead - to win 25-21. Austin Peay led the fourth set wire-to-wire, recording a match-high 19 kills in the set and posting a .381 attack percentage. The Lady Govs dominated the fourth set after the opening points, needing just 14 kills but an impressive .478 attack percentage to win the set.

Jacksonville State saw its offense slowly fade after the break. The Gamecocks recorded 13 kills in each of the first two sets. However, they scored just 10 kills in the third set and eight kills - while recording six errors - in the fourth set.

Junior outside hitter Nikki Doyle led all hitters with a career-high 24 kills while also posting a .450 attack percentage. Freshman Hillary Plybon added 13 kills and a .409 attack percentage. Senior Ilyanna Hernandez chipped in 13 kills.

Liza Senenkova led Jacksonville State with 13 kills and a .429 attack percentage. Hivya Leite added 10 kills.

Austin Peay begins a regular-season ending four-match road trip with a 7 p.m., Friday contest at Tennessee State.

-AP-