WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team opens its 2015 season when it meets Ohio in a 3 p.m. (CDT), Friday contest to open the Purdue Mortar Board Premier at Holloway Gymnasium. The Lady Govs stay continues Saturday with a 10 a.m. contest against host Purdue followed by a 4 p.m. matchup with VCU.

Austin Peay returns five of its top seven hitters from last season’s team which posted a 14-18 record and 8-8 league mark. Senior outside hitter Sammie Ebright leads the returning group after recording 219 kills (2.40 per set) last season. In addition, sophomore Ashley Slay returns after earning OVC All-Newcomer honors last season and finishing with 179 kills (1.95 per set).

The offensive tone will be managed by senior setter Aubrey Marsellis, a preseason All-OVC pick. Possibly the most all-around setter in the OVC, Marsellis finished last season with 165 kills (1.36 per set) at a .249 attack percentage, 271 digs (2.24 per set), 56 blocks (0.46 per set) all while handing out 977 assists (8.07 per set).

“I was encouraged by the performance of our returners in our scrimmage last weekend,” said Lady Govs head coach Taylor Mott. “We return a lot of players that had good seasons. I believe they’ll each continue their improvement this season.”

Still Austin Peay will enter the opening weekend seeking an answer to the question of “Who Will Fill Jada Stotts Shoes?” Stotts, who was Austin Peay’s Legends Award Winner for Most Outstanding Senior and a first-team All-OVC pick, leaves behind a big hole in the Austin Peay lineup. She led the team in kills (408, 3.49 per set), service aces (38) and digs (416, 3.56 per set) last season.

“Jada left some big shoes to fill,” said Mott. “However, I believe we have the right players in place to fill her role. It won’t be something that falls on one person’s shoulders; everyone will need to pick up their part of the load. I believe we’ll be a more balanced offensive unit this season, which will make us tougher to defend.”

Joining the eight returning letterwinners will be a group of six newcomers. The talented crop of freshman impressed Mott during Sunday’s Red-Black scrimmage and should see plenty of action during the opening weekend.

“Our freshmen showed they are able to keep up with the pace during the scrimmage,” said Mott. “There’s still plenty of room for growth but I believe they will be ready to impress this weekend.”