APSU volleyball picks up four-set win over Louisiana Tech – Clarksville

Clemson, SC – Mikayla Powell opened the 2022 season with 16 kills, leading the Austin Peay State University (APSU) volleyball team to a four-game win over Louisiana Tech (25-20, 22-25, 25-18, 25-17). The Big Orange Bash was hosted at Clemson’s Jervey Gym, Friday morning.

Powell was one of three killers to finish in double-digit kills — Marlaina Bullington added a 13-kill and 14-dig effort while Jayda Clark had 10 kills to lead the APSU offense. Kelsey Mead posted a 26-assist, 10-dig double-double.

Austin Peay State University (1-0) hit better than .230 in all four sets and finished the match with 54 kills and a .273 attack percentage. Meanwhile, the Govs held Louisiana Tech to 47 kills and a .176 attack percentage.

Louisiana Tech (0-1) used 17 kills and a .342 attack percentage to hold off a late surge from Austin Peay State University for its second straight win. However, the Regents held off the Lady Texters with 10 kills in the third set and a measly eight kills and a .067 attack percentage in the fourth.

The Reigns are now set to face host Clemson in a Friday night 6:00 PM CT contest that can be seen on ESPN+.

The ruler

Mikayla Powell kicked off the 2022 campaign in style with a 16-kill outing, posting a .433 hitting percentage while also adding three blocks.

She now has three-straight double-digit kill streaks after finishing with 16-kill and 18-kill performances at the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Championships. It was her 15th double-digit kill in her 34th match at Austin Peay State University.

In the box point

Austin Peay State University scores its first win over Louisiana Tech, tying the all-time series 1-1.

The APSU Regents improved to 5-6 in the season opener with the loss of head coach Taylor Mott.

Graduate transfer Sadie Edmondston came off the bench to dish out six assists and five digs in her first game for the Governors.

Freshman Sara Karnathan had five kills and two blocks in her collegiate debut.

Set-by-set

Set 1 (Government won 25-20): Austin Peay State University opened the season on a 5-1 run and ran away with wire-to-wire victories. Powell, Jayda Clark and Tegan Searing each had three kills to pace the team with 13 kills.

Set 2 (Louisiana Tech won, 25-22) Louisiana Tech stormed out the door quickly in the second set and took a three-point lead, 7-4. Austin Peay State University battled back to tie the set at 12-12 and the teams eventually battled through 11 games and six lead changes. One last match came at 22-22 before Louisiana Tech scored the final three points. Powell had six kills to lead the APSU Govs’ 15-kill performance, but LTU had 17 kills and a .342 attack percentage in the set.

Set 3 (Government won 25-18): The third set was a duplicate of the first as Austin Peay State University jumped out to an early lead and rolled to victory. Louisiana Tech would force two very early ties, but a 4-0 APSU run on Sadie Edmondston’s serve broke the set. Austin Peay State University returned to its balanced attack with Powell, Bullington and Clark each posting three kills.

Set 4 (Government won 25-17): It was a battle royal early on with the Govs and Lady Techsters battling it out in 10 games and 26 points and nine lead changes in the opener. But the APSU Govs won 10 straight points with Kelsey Mead at the service line to open the game. In the fourth game, Powell scored four kills on eight attempts. Bullington had another five kills as the Govs won the match.