THE LEAD
MURRAY, Ky. – Austin Peay State University's volleyball team could not overcome a slow start in a three-set (16-25, 21-25, 25-27) loss to Ohio Valley Conference leader Murray State, Wednesday, at Racer Arena.
WHO GOVERNED
Kelly Ferguson had six kills in an errorless outing, finishing with a .600 attack percentage. She also had a hand in four of Austin Peay's five blocks in the match and chipped in a service ace to finish with a team-best 10 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Austin Peay's offense could not get on track in the first two sets, recording just nine and seven kills in the first two frames. Murray State gained control in each frame early and posted 15-kill outings in each set.
The Lady Govs led by five points late in the third set and had the first set point opportunity. But Murray State fended off the chance and won on their second match point.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Freshman Cecily Gable and senior Samantha Strother each had eight kills to pace the Lady Govs 31-kill attack.
Defensively, Austin Peay recorded 45 digs with libero April Adams (15 digs) and Sammie Ebright (11) leading the effort.
THE QUOTABLE MOTT
"This was by far our best offensive and defensive effort to date. Our effort and energy were on point. When you keep in mind how young we are you could see we are only get better."
THE FULL RECAP
Austin Peay (5-14, 0-4 OVC) battled through a slow start offensively as it was held to single-digit kills in the first two sets. The Lady Govs were held to nine kills in the opening set and seven kills in the second set. Austin Peay committed 11 attack errors in those two set and entered the break with a .083 attack percentage.
Meanwhile, Murray State (14-1, 4-0 OVC) posted 15 kills in each of those two sets. The Racers had just three attack errors in the first set (.353 attack percentage) in a near wire-to-wire win. Murray State had seven attack errors in the second set and used a .229 attack percentage to win wire-to-wire.
The Lady Govs offense found its stride in the third set, posting 15 kills. Samantha Strother and Kelly Ferguson each had for two kills midway through the set to help Austin Peay build a five-point, 21-16, advantage. The Lady Govs would get to set point first, 24-23, but could not capitalize. Four points later, Murray State scored on its second match-point chance to end the contest.
Ferguson had six kills and four blocks to lead Austin Peay. Strother and Cecily Gable each had a team-best eight kills.
Scottie Ingram finished with a match-best 14 kills, one of three Murray State hitters to reach double-digit kill territory.
Austin Peay begins a four-match homestand when it hosts SIU Edwardsville in a 7 p.m., Friday contest at the Dunn Center.
