CLARKSVILLE – Austin Peay State University's beach volleyball team dominated in Day One of the Governors Beach Bash after sweeping Lincoln Memorial and Carson-Newman, Friday afternoon.
To begin with a hot start for the Governors was Caroline Waite and MiMi Arrington in the No. 5 pairing. Waite and Arrington jumped to a big early lead and cruised to victory against Lincoln Memorial's Brooke Taylor and Abby Higgins in straight sets, 21-4, 21-12. Cori Theiss and Lucy Randall in the No. 4 pairing for the Govs defeated the Railsplitters' Caitlin Bethell and Emily Walter in straight sets, 21-10, 21-14.
Ginny Gerig and Chloe Stitt for Austin Peay in the No. 3 pairing kept their composure after a few rallies from Sarah Jones and Kai Weseman of Lincoln Memorial to defeat the Railsplitters in straight sets, both ending 21-15. Brooke Moore and Ciera Koons did not take their feet off the pedal after winning 21-13, 21-7 against the Railsplitters' Danielle Ged and Danielle Stachura.
Haley Turner and Jenna Panning had the only battle, in the No. 1 pairing, that led to a three-set finish. Panning and Turner took the first set against Lincoln Memorial's Rylee Storms and Lindsey Nartker, 21-10, but lost the second set in a close affair, 18-21, before coming out on top and giving the Govs the sweep, 15-11.
Match Two for the Governors got underway against Carson-Newman at 4 p.m. Arrington and Waite continued with the same aggression as in Match One against Carson-Newman's Taryn Nichols and Dilyn Palmer in the No. 5 pairing with a straight-set finish for the Govs, both ending 21-9. Randall and Theiss had a challenge in the No. 4 pairing against the Eagles' Montgomery Sauter and Lexy Headley, but Austin Peay prevailed in straight sets, 21-17, 21-19.
Stitt and Gerig in the No. 3 pairing put up an early lead in both sets and cruised to a victory against Carson-Newman's Grace Seymour and Lauren Williams in straight sets, 21-10, 21-9. Koons and Moore in the No. 2 pairing defeated the Eagles' Aryana Fazelnia and Kelly Hughes in straight sets, 21-16, 21-12. Just as the No. 2 pairing, Turner and Panning in the No. 1 pairing dominated Summer Coulter and Abby Struewing of Carson-Newman in straight sets, 21-13, 21-11 to give the Govs the second sweep of the day.
Governors head coach Taylor Mott could not complain with her team's performance after sweeping both of their opponents.
"I thought today was a very good day for us," Mott said. "We came out with a lot of energy early and stayed consistent. If we come out with the same energy tomorrow, I think we will be in good shape."
The lone senior on the team, Koons was honored today before her second match as she approaches the final collegiate matches of her career. Mott was very appreciative of her senior and gave much gratitude to Koons.
"She has been amazing for this program, and for a coach, it is nice to have someone like her with her positive attitude and tremendous effort for the love of the sport," Mott said. "It was good to celebrate her today and she will be missed."
Austin Peay will continue Day Two of the Governors Beach Bash and will face Eastern Kentucky at 9 a.m. and No. 16 Georgia State at 5 p.m. Be sure to follow @AustinPeayBVB on Twitter for updates and come out to support the Govs at the Govs Beach Volleyball Complex.
Austin Peay 5, Lincoln Memorial 0
Austin Peay 5, Carson-Newman 0
