INDIANAPOLIS - Austin Peay State University's volleyball team pushed host Butler to the brink, but could not break through, dropping a three-set decision (25-27, 17-25, 24-26), Friday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The opening set was a see-saw affair with Austin Peay (2-7) and Butler (4-6) exchanging the lead seven ties with 17 ties. The Lady Govs fended off two set points before succumbing on the Bulldogs third attempt, losing 27-25. Both teams posted 18 kills in the opener, Austin Peay posting just one more attack error (5-4).

It was more of the same early in the second set with five ties and three lead changes. Butler charged back from a 9-5 deficit to tie the set at 9-9. After trading points briefly, the Bulldogs a 7-2 run to break open the set with a 17-12 lead and would not look back. Austin Peay's offense dropped off in the second, posting just 10 kills, while Butler pounded out 20 kills.

Austin Peay got agonizingly close to extending the match in the third set, getting to set point, 24-23. However, the homestanding Bulldogs scored the next three points courtesy a pair of kills and a service ace, to post the come-from-behind win, 26-24.

Junior outside hitter Nikki Doyle led the Lady Govs with 15 kills. Freshmen Jada Stotts, who made her first start, and Hillary Plybon each added seven kills. Junior Ilyanna Hernandez scored six kills without an error in her return to action after missing the previous four matches.

Maureen Bamiro led Butler with 18 kills and Kelley Kyle added 14 kills to lead Butler.

Austin Peay returns to action with a 1:30 p.m., Saturday contest against Elon to conclude its stay at the Butler Invitational.

-AP-