Box Score PITTSBURG, Kan. - The Pittsburg State Volleyball team improved to 13-13 overall on the year (4-10 MIAA) with a 3-1 upset over Emporia State (17-10, 7-7 MIAA) on Saturday (November 3) in John Lance Arena.
Pitt State took the first two sets, 25-17 and 25-15 before falling in close third set 26-24. The Gorillas battled back in the fourth set to win 25-21. Pitt State did not trail in either of the first two sets.
PSU led through most of set three, but allowed Emporia State to sneak ahead at 22-21 and though they would tie the game at 22 and 24, the Gorillas could not get the lead back.
In the fourth set, Emporia State had the lead early, but Pitt State took the lead at 10-9 and never looked back.
In the first two sets, strong defense by the Gorillas allowed the Hornets less than 10 kills in each. The visiting team hit .000 in set one and -.038 in set two. Though Pitt State had more kills in set three, they had seven more hitting errors, as Emporia hit at a .188 clip to .127 for the Gorillas. Both teams hit well in the final set, but PSU was able to put down more kills.
Both teams had strong blocking nights, but the Gorillas came out ahead by one 10.0 to 9.0. Pitt State also had 11 more digs and five services aces to just two for the Hornets.
Nicole Rockhold led all players in kills and digs with 19 kills and 23 digs. She also had all five of Pitt State's service aces. She hit at a .341 clip for the match. Paula Okrutna also had double figure kills for Pitt State with 13 and had five blocks (one solo, four assisted). Both of the Gorilla setters recorded double-doubles. Becca Pearson had 26 assists and 13 digs and Hayley Hansford had 20 assists and 10 digs.
In addition to Okrutna's team leading five blocks, Haylee Gregory added five block assists and Leah Flynn had four. Flynn was also just under double figures in kills with eight.
Pitt State will continue its string of four matches in five days with a trip to Oklahoma on Monday and Tuesday. The team will play Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant at 7 p.m. on Monday and Central Oklahoma in Edmond at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
