Govs sweep Savannah State to complete unbeaten weekend

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Sophomore Cecily Gable hit 17 kills for a second consecutive match, leading Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team to a three-set victory (25-14, 20-25, 25-21) against Savannah State, Saturday, in its final match of the Bulldog Invitational at McAlister Field House.

Austin Peay (9-6) won all four of its tournament contests to claim the Bulldog Invitational title. The Governors dropped just one set in the tournament, posting a 12-1 set record.

The Governors set the tone in the first set, racing out to a 9-1 lead and forcing a Savannah State timeout. Austin Peay finished the set with 15 kills and a .370 attack percentage. Meanwhile, Savannah State managed just five kills and a .037 attack percentage.

Savannah State (0-16) pushed the Govs to start the second set, forcing five ties and two lead changes. Austin Peay took control of the frame with an 8-2 run that helped build a 15-10 lead and never looked back.

The third set took longer for the Governors to salt away, as the Tigers gained a 7-3 lead thanks to five consecutive points early. Savannah State nursed that four-point advantage all the way to 18-14. Austin Peay finally gained the momentum at that point and closed the match by scoring 11 of the final 14 points.

Gable’s 17-kill performance in the three-set win came on the heels of her season’s first 17-kill outing in a four-set win against Elon earlier Saturday. She was a more efficient hitter in Saturday’s second match, needing just 29 swings to reach the mark and posting a .414 attack percentage.

Austin Peay nearly doubled Savannah State’s offensive output, finishing with 45 kills while limiting its opponent to 23 kills. The Govs also held a 50-26 defensive advantage in digs at the match’s end.

Dominique Ingram led Savannah State with a seven-kill, seven-block performance. The Tigers owned an 11-7 blocking advantage thanks to her effort.

The Governors return home to open Ohio Valley Conference play with a two-match homestand. Austin Peay hosts Southeast Missouri in a 6 p.m., Friday contest to start the conference race.