Pitt State Classic Tournament Central
The Pittsburg State Volleyball team will open the 2012 season with a home tournament featuring Bemidji State, Emporia State, Harding, Illinois-Springfield, MIssouri Southern, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Rockhurst and William Jewell on Friday and Saturday.
Due to the John Lance Arena renovations, the tournament will be played at PIttsburg High School. Pitt State will open the tournament with a 10 a.m. match on Friday. Matches will continue on two courts throughout the day, culminating with the Gorillas match against Northwestern Oklahoma State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday the tournament will feature games at 9 and 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. Pitt State will face Bemidji State at 11 a.m. and William Jewell at 4 p.m.
Pitt State finished last season 9-22 overall and 6-12 in MIAA play, placing them seventh in the league. This season the Gorillas look to improve on that record, relying on strong leadership from the junior and senior classes and strong performances from a talented group of newcomers.
The Gorillas return regular starters junior Kirsten Erikson and seniors Brooke Fay, Leah Flynn and Becca Pearson. Pearson anchors the team from the setter position, Erickson and Flynn are outside hitters and Fay is a middle blocker. Christa McCaw adds needed help in the back row in the libero position, as she led the team with 531 digs last season and earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors. Senior Nicole Rockhold, redshirt freshman Abbie Smith and sophomore Sam Wyatt are also returners who will look to play a bigger role this season.
New to the court this season are redshirt freshmen Chloe Foster and Haylee Gregory, junior transfer Jordan Rehm, sophomore transfer Paula Okrutna and six true freshmen, Chandler Balnton, Hayley Hansford, Aimi Orton, Olivia Roland, Olivia Roudebush and Crystal Whitten. Each of these newcomers has the ability to make an immediate impact, as well as helping to conitnue to build a strong Gorilla volleyball program.
Live stats for all games, as well as scores and updated records will be available through the
Pitt State Class Tournament Central.
