CLARKSVILLE - A lucky group of fans saw something special as Austin Peay State University's volleyball team pulled off a three-set sweep (25-15, 25-21, 43-41) of Murray State in Ohio Valley Conference action, Saturday, at the Dunn Center.

Austin Peay and Murray State combined for a third set that will go down as the longest in OVC history and second longest in NCAA history. The 43-41 final score was the highest point total for a set since Manhattan defeated Rider by a  45-43 margin during the 2009 season which stands as the NCAA Division I record. Austin Peay's 43 points in the set are the second-most by a team during the current 25-point scoring system.

The third set featured 27 ties and 10 lead changes and Murray State had the first opportunity to win the set at 24-20 but Austin Peay scored the next four points - fighting off five straight set points - to level the set, 24-24. Those were the first of ultimately 14 set point opportunities for the Racers, the final chance coming at 40-39. Austin Peay had nine match point chances, the match ending on a Murray State attack error.

Austin Peay (5-15, 3-6 OVC) recorded 23 of its 58 kills in the third set and seven of its 13 blocks. Junior outside hitter Nikki Doyle had six of her team-best 15 kills in the third set alone. Sophomore middle blocker Lauren Henderson had two kills and had a hand in six blocks during the set.

Murray State (4-16, 4-5 OVC) scored 29 of its 51 kills in the final set. Teresa Krog recorded 11 kills - a good match total in a normal situation - and finished with a match-best 18 kills.

The first two sets were more mundane in comparison; Austin Peay dominated the opening set with 18 kills while Murray State scored just eight kills in a 25-15 APSU win. The Racers fought back in the second set and forced 10 ties, but the Lady Govs took control with four straight kills for a 17-16 lead they did not surrender en route to a 25-21 victory.

Doyle's 15 kills came with just one attack error and she finished with a .519 attack percentage. Freshman middle blocker Hillary Plybon added 11 kills and senior outside hitter Ilyanna Hernandez finished with 10 kills.

Krog's 18-kill effort included six attack errors and she finished with a .279 attack percentage. Cassy Woolverton added 12 kills.

Austin Peay, now 2-1 during its current five-match homestand, continues that home stretch with a 6 p.m, Tuesday contest against Tennessee State. 

- AP -