Exciting Weekend Ahead for Austin Peay Volleyball in Bowling Green
Clarksville, Tenn. – The excitement is palpable as Austin Peay State University’s volleyball team gears up to finish their nonconference season at the annual Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic this weekend, hosted by Western Kentucky University. The event, taking place on September 20-21, promises thrilling matches as the team looks to improve their current record of 1-7.
Building Momentum After Lindenwood Invitational
The Govs enter this weekend on the heels of their performance at the Lindenwood Invitational, held on September 14. A highlight from the weekend was Payton Deidesheimer, who earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team after racking up an impressive 24 kills across two matches. Her versatility was on full display as she also contributed two blocks during a match against Southern Illinois.
What to Expect at the Classic
In Bowling Green, the Govs are scheduled to take on Eastern Illinois on Friday at 1 p.m., followed by a clash with Arkansas State at 5 p.m.. The excitement continues on Saturday when they face off against the hosting team, Western Kentucky at 1:30 p.m.. Historically, Austin Peay holds a strong edge against Eastern Illinois, leading the series 22-16 with their last encounter resulting in a 3-1 victory during the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season finale.
However, the road won’t be easy, as both Arkansas State and Western Kentucky present challenges. Austin Peay is currently 0-2 against Arkansas State, following their last meet where they lost 3-1. Similarly, the Hilltoppers have historically dominated the matchup, leading the series 14-1 with their latest meeting ending in a straight 3-0 defeat for the Govs last season.
Team Highlights and Key Players
The upcoming matches will showcase some of the Govs’ standout players. Payton Deidesheimer is currently leading the team with 21.0 blocks and contributing 60 kills, ranking second on the team. Not to be overshadowed, Sarah Carnathan leads the squad with an impressive 62 kills so far this season, and her 9.0 blocks position her fifth on the team.
Kayleigh Ryan has been the go-to for assists, leading with 102, while she and teammate Maggie Duyos are both tied with the best service aces on the team, each boasting eight. Duyos isn’t far behind Ryan in assists, holding 93 and also contributing significantly in digs.
Coaching Achievements and Team Spirit
This season has also marked some incredible milestones for the Governors under the guidance of head coach Taylor Mott. Mott recently celebrated her 200th win as head coach in a match against Mississippi Valley on August 30, following a remarkable career achievement of over 500 wins against St. Louis on September 15, 2023.
With the Atlantic Sun Conference play looming just around the corner, starting on September 26 against Eastern Kentucky, the Govs are eager to take this weekend as an opportunity to sharpen their skills and build camaraderie as a team. The excitement is contagious, and as the matches approach, it’s clear that the community of Clarksville will be cheering them on every step of the way!
