THE LEAD
CLARKSVILLE – Senior Aubrey Marsellis posted a double-double but Austin Peay State University's volleyball team could not solve the Eastern Illinois service game in a four-set loss (24-26, 25-16, 16-25, 20-25), Saturday, in Ohio Valley Conference action at the Dunn Center.
WHO GOVERNED
Senior Aubrey Marsellis had a team-best 13 kills and added 18 assists for her third double-double. She finished with a team-best .346 attack percentage while chipping in three service aces and five digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Austin Peay was a point away from winning the first set, leading 24-21, but Eastern Illinois escaped with the victory. The Lady Govs rallied with its best offensive performance of the match to tie the match at 1-1 before the break.
Eastern Illinois kept Austin Peay out of its offense in the third and fourth sets but needed big runs in each frame to win the match in four sets.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Sophomore Ashley Slay notched her second-straight double-digit kill outing, finishing with 10 kills and a .259 attack percentage, while also record three blocks.
Austin Peay recorded 12 service aces – its second double-digit performance behind the service line. Sophomore Kelly Ferguson led the effort with four aces.
THE FULL RECAP
Austin Peay's (6-15, 1-5 OVC) offense struggled for most of the match, hitting its stride only with a dominant second-set effort. The Lady Govs posted 14 kills, but at a .444 attack percentage, in the frame along with five service aces to pull away for a 25-16 victory to level the match at one set each.
The Lady Govs nearly had a 2-0 lead in the match, but saw the first set get away. Austin Peay had set point at 24-21 but could not finish the frame. Eastern Illinois scored the final five points with three kills, a block and a service ace to win 26-24.
Eastern Illinois (8-12, 4-2 OVC) made an adjustment at halftime to its service attack and Austin Peay was unable to respond. The Panthers serving kept Austin Peay out of its offense, resulting in a minus-.054 attack in the third set and a .150 attack percentage in the third set. Despite APSU's offensive woes, Eastern Illinois needed an 11-2 run to break open the third set and a 6-2 run to claim the fourth frame.
Senior Aubrey Marsellis paced Austin Peay with a 13-kill, 18-assist, three service ace performance. Sophomore Ashley Slay added a 13-kill performance. Austin Peay was held to 47 kills and posted a .164 attack percentage.
Chelsea Lee led Eastern Illinois with a match-best 14 kills. Allie Hueston added 11 kills at a .529 attack percentage. The Panthers finished with 58 kills and a .282 attack percentage.
Austin Peay continues its four-match homestand in six days when it hosts Tennessee State in a 6 p.m., Friday contest.
