BOX SCORE

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Jacksonville State volleyball team extended its winning streak to eight on Saturday, when the Gamecocks claimed a 3-2 (25-13, 19-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-11) win over Austin Peay at the Dunn Center.

The Gamecocks (14-5, 7-0 Ohio Valley Conference) have won their last seven matches that reach a fifth set after using a balanced attack to hand the Lady Govs (11-5, 5-1 OVC) their first league loss of the season. With the win, Jax State claims sole possession of first place in the OVC standings.

“This was a crazy back-and-forth match,” JSU head coach Rick Nold said. “I was really happy that we were able to take some things that we've been working on in practice and translate them into a game situation. Our conference is incredibly deep and talented, so it's great to come out with another road win.”

Sophomore Lauren Harkins paced a JSU defensive attack that totaled 82 digs and recorded eight total blocks. The Louisville, Ky., native picked up a match-high 27 digs to lead a group of three JSU players with double figures in the digs column. Harkins also added three service aces and didn't commit an error in the service game.

Senior Brittney Whitten added 17 digs to the Gamecock defensive effort to go along with her 14 kills on the offensive side of the net. The Boonville, Ind., native posted her 10th-straight double-double in the match. Fellow senior Paige Beasley added 11 digs and put down a team-high four service aces.

Whitten was one of four JSU players with double figures in kills, with junior Caitlin Vorbeck hitting .333 for her 14 kills. Freshman Alyx Schulte added 12 kills, while junior Kara Slater pitched in 11 to go with her team-high four blocks.

Junior Brooke Schumacher dished 44 assists for the JSU offense and added eight digs on defense.

Austin Peay was led offensively by the trio of Stephanie Champine, Kirstin Distler and Ilyanna Hernandez, who each totaled 15 kills. Paige Economos led the Lady Govs defense with 21 digs.

The Gamecocks will wrap up their four-game road swing next weekend with a pair of matches in the Midwest. They will travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo., on Friday for a 7 p.m. meeting with Southeast Missouri before taking on Eastern Illinois at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Charleston, Ill.