CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. –  Austin Peay State University volleyball heads down I-24 to play in the Blue Raider Bash, Sept. 6-7, at the Alumni Memorial Gymnasium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

Austin Peay (1-2) opens up the tournament with a 1 p.m., Friday match against Southeastern Missouri. They then face Arkansas State and host Middle Tennessee at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., respectively, on Saturday. 

The Govs are coming off of a 1-2 opening weekend, winning a 3-0 decision against Mississippi Valley State, and dropping 3-0 decisions to Tennessee Tech and Memphis. Sarah Carnathan paced the Govs offensively, with 21 kills over three matches and nine of which came against Memphis, Aug. 31. Maggie Duyos had 42 assists over the weekend, 16 of which came against Mississippi Valley State, Aug. 30. Tayler Baron had a successful opening weekend, leading the Govs with 40 digs. Payton Deidesheimer led the Governors defense, with 10 blocks over three matches. 

After their stay in Murfreesboro, the Govs head to St. Charles, Missouri for the Lindenwood Invitational, Sept. 14, where they will face Southern Illinois and Lindenwood. 

THROUGH THE ROTATION

• Defensive specialist Kalliann Cook enters her sophomore season after a successful freshman campaign. Cook's 17 service aces and 266 digs ranked second on the team while her 61 assists ranked third. 

• Outside hitter, Sarah Carnathan returns after having 125 kills last season, averaging 1.79 per set. The junior has 186 kills in her first two seasons with the Govs, averaging 1.51 per set. 

• Setter Maggie Duyos played in 18 matches for the Govs during her freshman season and finished second on the team with 199 assists, averaging 3.55 per set. She also had 77 digs on the season, highlighted by a nine-dig performance at North Florida, Nov. 11.

• Junior middle blocker Payton Deidesheimer played in 20 matches last season and made seven starts. She totaled 109 kills and had a career-high of 17 kills at Stetson, Oct. 14.

• Middle blocker Anna Rita also enjoyed a successful freshman year, appearing in 24 matches and making 18 starts. She had 73 blocks on the season, ranking third on the team. Her career-high nine blocks came against Central Arkansas, Nov. 10. She had a career-high .667 hitting percentage with four kills on six swings at Eastern Kentucky, Oct. 27. 

• Junior defensive specialist Emma Loiars returns after appearing in 49 sets for the Govs last season. She totaled 92 digs, averaging 1.88 per game with a career-high of 14 digs twice against Lindenwood and Indiana State, Sept. 1. 

• Dani Kopacz is second on the team with 18 kills and fourth with 4.0 blocks. 

• Tayler Baron is first for the Govs with 40 digs and third with six assists. 

• Luci Lippelgoos is second on the team with 9.0 blocks and third with three service aces. 

• Aubrey Stitcher's 11 kills and 4.0 blocks rank  fifth on the Governors roster. 

• Kayleigh Ryan's 21 digs and 34 assists rank second on the team. 

• The Govs have to replace graduate Kelsey Mead, who led the Govs last season with 776 assists, 28 service aces, and 276 digs. They will also replace Mikayla Powell, who led with 359 kills, and Karli Graham, who led with 80 blocks. 

SUPPORTING ITEMS

• Sarah Carnathan and Payton Deidesheimer were named to the Carrie Yerty All-Tournament team for the performances in Memphis last weekend. 

• Head coach Taylor Mott earned her 200th victory with the Governors in the 3-0 win against Mississippi Valley, Aug. 30.

• Mott earned her 500th career win against St. Louis, Sept. 15, in a four set decision. 

• The Govs are 116-68 against OVC opponents, 6-5 against Sun Belt Conference opponents, and 11-12 against Conference USA opponents. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
SERIES: Govs lead, 24-20
LAST MEETING: The Governors lost a 4-1 decision to the Redhawks, Sept. 16, 2023. Sarah Carnathan led the team with 13 kills and had a .323 hitting percentage. 

ARKANSAS STATE
SERIES: Red Wolves lead, 1-0
LAST MEETING: 3-0 Governor loss, Sept. 4, 2004

MIDDLE TENNESSEE
SERIES: Blue Raiders lead, 6-5
LAST MEETING: The Govs defeated the Blue Raiders, 3-0, Aug. 31, 2018.