CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University's volleyball team won a 4-1 exhibition win to Tusculum, Sunday, in the Winfield Dunn Center.
Austin Peay and Tusculum traded shots to open the first set but a pair of aces by Dani Kopacz and a Pioneer error gave the Govs a 15-12 lead at the first set media timeout. Aces by Nya Browne allowed Austin Peay to take a 18-13 lead as Pioneers service errors and a block by Lauren Wallace forced a Tusculum timeout as the Govs led 21-15. A trio of kills by Dayan Malavé, Kopacz, and Reaghan Larkin gave the Govs the set point at 24-16 as a Pioneer error ended the set at 25-16.
Much like the first set, the two teams went back-and-forth, but the Governors led 12-9 until three-straight Pioneers' points tied the set at 12 and forced a Governors' timeout. Tusculum took a 15-13 lead out of the timeout but four straight points for the Red and White gave them a 17-15 lead. The Pioneers responded with a 6-1 run making the score 21-19 in favor of the Pioneers, forcing a Governors' timeout. Wallace tied the set at 21 with a kill followed by a block, as a kill by Malavé gave the Govs a 22-21 lead. The two teams found themselves tied at 23 but a kill by Reaghan Larkin provided the Govs with their first of six set points. Kills by Wallace and Tagoa'i gave the Govs the 30-28 second-set win.
The Governors and the Pioneers were tied at seven to begin the third set, but a 3-0 run by the home team, including a kill and ace by Sianna Dykes and a kill by Kopacz gave the Govs a 10-7 lead. The Pioneers fought back with a 4-0 run of their own to lead 11-10, forcing an APSU timeout. Tusculum continued to battle back, leading 17-14, but a 7-2 run from the Govs made the score 22-20. A 3-0 run from the Govs, including two aces from Dykes and a block by Nicole Okojie, ended the set at 25-20.
The Govs lead by as many as eight at 18-10 in the fourth set, which forced a break by the Pioneers. Tusculum was able to get back within six at 20-14, but the Govs eventually took the fourth set at 25-16.
Tusculum led the Governors 8-5 at the fifth set break, but the Govs were able to tie the set at 11. The Pioneers extended their lead to 14-12 and eventually took the 15-13 fifth set win.
Following the exhibition, the Governors host the Stacheville Challenge where they are set to face Murray State, Xavier, and Tennessee Tech, Aug. 29-20 in the Winfield Dunn Center.
For news and updates on coach Amstutz's inaugural season, follow the volleyball team on X and Instagram (@GovsVolleyball) or check back in at LetsGoPeay.com.
