EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team won the opening set, but could not build on the momentum in a four-set loss (26-24, 22-25, 19-25, 21-25) to SIUE, Saturday afternoon at the Vadalabene Center.
Austin Peay (6-19, 1-9 OVC) could not keep up offensively with homestanding SIUE. The Cougars outhit the Lady Govs in all four sets, ultimately claiming a 66-45 advantage in kills. However, Austin Peay kept the match close – there were 34 ties and 12 lead changes in the four-set contest – thanks to its blocking (10-2 lead) and serving (16-6 edge in points won on serves).
The Lady Govs rallied to win the opening set, fighting back from a double-set point against it at 24-22. Austin Peay scored the sets final four points, including a Kelly Ferguson kill and a Samantha Strother service ace, to win a 26-24 decision.
SIUE (6-14, 4-6 OVC) did not make the same mistake twice. The Cougars rallied from a 17-14 deficit in the second set and again got to set point at 24-22. This time Carley Ramich ended the set with a kill for the 25-22 victory.
After the break, the Cougars pulled away late from Austin Peay, closing the third set with a 11-5 run to win 25-19. The fourth set was a wire-to-wire effort by SIUE, but they never led by more than four points, including the final margin, 25-21.
Logan Carger had her finest outing as a Lady Govs player, finishing with a career-high 12 kills while committing no attack errors for a .632 attack percentage. Ferguson added nine kills and a team-best seven blocks.
Kristen Torre led SIUE with a match-best 22 kills while posting a .386 attack percentage. Three other Cougars players recorded double-doubles.
Austin Peay continues its five-match road trip in six days when it meets Tennessee Tech in a 7 p.m., Friday contest at the Eblen Center.