CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Austin Peay State University's volleyball team concluded the Stacheville Challenge with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 26-24) sweep of Kansas City, Saturday, in the Winfield Dunn Center.
The Governors opened the first set in a tightly contested battle, with the two teams exchanging points through the opening rallies before Kansas City held a 4-3 advantage. Austin Peay responded with a six-point run, highlighted by multiple kills, two service aces and a kill by Cree Hollier to take a 9-4 lead. Kansas City answered with a run of its own, scoring eight points while Austin Peay added two to cut into the Governors' advantage. The Govs responded with seven points, including five kills, to regain momentum and build a 21-19 lead. Nicole Okojie recorded back-to-back kills to extend the advantage before a Kansas City attack error and another Governor kill secured a 25-19 first-set victory.
The second set followed a similar pattern early, with the teams exchanging points before Austin Peay built a 12-7 advantage. The Governors continued to control the set, extending their lead to nine points as kills and Kansas City attack errors fueled the run. The Roos scored five of the next six points to narrow the deficit, but the Govs closed the set with a 5-0 run. Hollier recorded three consecutive kills during the stretch, while Brooklynn Merrell added a service ace before assisting Malena Benz on the set-clinching kill to give Austin Peay a 25-16 victory.
Kansas City opened the third set with a strong start, taking a 6-3 lead. Austin Peay answered with six points, including two kills and an ace, to even the score at nine. The teams continued to battle, tying the set at 11, 13 and 14. Hollier helped the Governors gain separation with two kills, followed by a kill from Okojie and a service ace by Lauren Wallace to give Austin Peay a 19-14 advantage. The Governors maintained the lead until Kansas City fought off match point to extend the set.
Wallace recorded her 39th kill of the tournament to give Austin Peay its 25th point, and a Kansas City attack error on a serve by Sarah Butler sealed the 26-24 victory and the Governors' second sweep of the 2026 season.
Austin Peay totaled 46 kills in the victory, led by Hollier's 14. Reagan Anderson also served four of the Governors' seven aces.
Up Next
Austin Peay travels to Cookeville, Tennessee, for the Golden Eagle Invitational, Sept. 4-5. The Governors open the tournament against Tennessee Tech at 10 a.m. Friday before facing Tennessee State at 2 p.m. Austin Peay concludes the tournament against Green Bay at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Follow the Govs on Socials
For news and updates throughout the Governors 50th season, follow the team on X (@GovsVB) and Instagram (@GovsVolleyball) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com and on the app in the App Store and Google Play.
