GULF SHORES, Ala. – Austin Peay State University's beach volleyball team kicks off their third season in program history - and first as a member of the ASUN Conference – with a three-day weekend road trip to Gulf Shores, Ala. to compete in The March to May Invitational.
The Govs are matched up against New Orleans, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Spring Hill, and Georgia State. The Governors will take to the court for the first time 3 p.m., Friday, against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Ten players from last season's squad return to action in 2019, including junior Ginny Gerig, who played at the No. 1 pairing throughout the season.
The Govs added three freshmen to the team, as well as fifth-year transfer Ciera Koons, who joins the team after spending four years playing indoor volleyball at Eastern Kentucky.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders already started its season on Feb. 28. The Islanders did not pick up a win that day but are now on a three-game winning streak heading into the matchup with the Governors.
Austin Peay's next opponent after the Islanders will be the University of New Orleans (3-1), Saturday, at 9 a.m. The Privateers began their season on a three-game winning streak before dropping the last game to Spring Hill. The Privateers will look for revenge against Spring Hill on Friday and then play Tulane before facing the Govs on Saturday.
After facing New Orleans and Corpus Christi, the Governors will battle the undefeated Spring Hill (7-0) Badgers. The Badgers won three games at home, one on the road, and three games at a neutral court. Spring Hill and the Governors will not battle until Spring Hill's last matchup in the Invitational on Sunday at 9 a.m.
The Governors' final matchup of the Invitational will be up against Georgia State. The Panthers have played eight games already this season sitting at .500 with a record of 4-4. Both teams will have each other as their final matchup of the tournament.
The Governors faced a few challenges heading into this season but head coach Taylor Mott has a lot of faith in her group.
"We're excited to finally get the season underway against some talented competition in Gulf Shores," Mott said. "We've dealt with a lot of weather in preparing for the season, but I'm proud of the way the team has handled the adversity and continued improving. We have a good mix of returners and newcomers, and I'm eager to see what this team can do."
