Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Jacksonville State volleyball team dropped a four-set match to Austin Peay on the road Saturday in their only regular season meeting of the season.
 
The Gamecocks (16-13, 7-5 Ohio Valley Conference) fell behind 2-0 to the Governors (13-15, 7-5 OVC) in the 3-1 (24-26, 20-25, 25-19, 19-25) loss, but avoided being swept winning the third set. JSU and APSU are now tied for fourth in the conference with four games remaining.
 
"We did not play well today," JSU head coach Terry Gamble said. "Right now, I think we have to play better on our side of the net going forward."
 
Four Gamecocks had double-digit kills, led by freshman Charis Ludtke with 16. She was followed by junior Emily Rutherford with 13 and senior Nicole Merget and freshman Allyson Zuhlke with 10 apiece. Rutherford's 13 kills came in a double-double performance which included 13 digs. Defensively, JSU was led by junior libero Samantha Bohne's 23 digs. Freshman setter Jennifer Hart dished 46 of the team's 51 assists.  
 
The Governors overcame a 10-7 deficit to tie the opening set 16-16. APSU led 24-21 before JSU rallied for three-straight points to tie. After a timeout, APSU took the final two points to win the set. Austin Peay out hit JSU .324 to .105 in the opening set.
 
Austin Peay continued a strong hitting day in the second set posting a .302 attack percentage. After falling behind early, a kill by Rutherford pulled the Gamecocks within two, 15-13. The Governors used a 7-2 run to pull away late for the 25-20 set win to take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Attempting to avoid a second consecutive sweep in league play, JSU jumped out to a 6-3 lead to start the third set. Austin Peay managed to tie the set 16-16, but wasn't able to complete the sweep. JSU held the Governors to an .061 attack percentage in a 25-19 set win.
 
In the fourth set, APSU returned to hitting .300 in a 25-19 set win to take the match 3-1. After trailing 11-6, the Gamecocks rallied to tie the set 13-13 but were overpowered down the stretch.
 
Jacksonville State remains on the road next weekend in OVC play taking on Belmont and Tennessee State in Nashville. The Gamecocks will play Belmont in a 6 p.m. match on Friday night and face the Tigers on Saturday in a 2 p.m. match.