TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Austin Peay State University's volleyball team split its final two matches at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash, Saturday, defeating Alabama State in three sets (25-16, 25-17, 25-19) before falling to Texas State in four sets (9-25, 13-25, 25-23, 19-25).

Austin Peay (1-2) dominated the three set affair against Alabama State (0-3), trailing only in the early going of each set before piecing together set-deciding runs each time. In the opening set, the Lady Govs scored five straight points, including two kills by senior outside hitter Kayla Grantham, to build a 16-12 lead they would not relinquish.

The second and third sets were decided much earlier. A eight-point burst, sparked by two kills from both Grantham and junior outside hitter Nikki Doyle, gave the Lady Govs an 11-3 lead and they would not look back. The third set was decided by a 6-0 run that was part of a larger 15-4 burst and finished with Austin Peay holding a 16-6 advantage en route to the 25-19 win.

Doyle led Austin Peay with 13 kills and a .407 attack percentage against Alabama State. Grantham added 11 kills and a .348 attack percentage.

Maya Bell led Alabama State with 15 kills.

Austin Peay was unable to carry the momentum of its morning victory against Alabama State into its contest against Texas State (2-0). The Lady Bobcats led wire-to-wire in the first set and nearly wire-to-wire in the second set with a set-opening service ace by senior outside hitter Ilyanna Hernandez giving APSU its only lead.

The Lady Govs returned from the break and scored the third set's first four points and raced out to a 12-2 lead. Texas State did not surrender and slowly closed to within one point, 18-17. Austin Peay would fend off that charge and three ties down the stretch. A Texas State attack error gave Austin Peay set point and freshman middle blocker Hillary Plybon finished the set with a kill.

Austin Peay attempted to repeat its third set performance in the fourth, breaking out to an 8-3 lead. But Texas State bounced back and grabbed an 11-10 lead. The two teams would trade the lead three times over the next nine points before Texas State scored consecutive kills to take a 17-15 lead. The Lady Bobcats nursed that lead to the finish, posting a 25-19 match-clinching victory.

Doyle led Austin Peay with 16 kills against Texas State. Hernandez finished with 10 kills. Plybon posted six kills and had four blocks.

Amari Deardorff led Texas State with 15 kills and was one of four players to finish with double-digit kills.

Austin Peay returns to action next weekend at the Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Bash. The Lady Govs will open that tournament with a noon, Friday contest against Florida International.

-AP-