Live Video
PITTSBURG, Kan. -- The Pittsburg State volleyball team hosts No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney (8-0) and Fort Hays State (6-4) at John Lance Arena on Friday and Saturday. First serve for Friday's game is 7 p.m. and Saturday's is 2 p.m.
Friday is International night and the international community at Pittsburg State is invited to come be recognized while cheering on the Gorillas. Saturday is Family Day hosted by Alumni and Constituent Relations.
Pitt State comes into the match with a 7-2 overall record and an 0-1 record in MIAA play after a 3-0 loss to Central Oklahoma on Tuesday. The Gorillas hit .252 as a team with 14.5 kills per set, while holding its first nine opponents to a .176 hitting percentage with 12.9 kills per set. Defensively, Pitt State records 15.88 digs and 2.19 blocks per set.
The Gorillas are a well rounded team, with a different individual stepping up in almost every category. Reigning MIAA Player of the Week Brooke Fay leads the Gorillas with a .392 hitting percentage on the season. Crystal Whitten leads the team, and four players with 2.00 or more kills per set with 2.91 kps. Becca Pearson leads in assists with 7.19 aps. NIcole Rockhold leads the team in aces with 14 on the year. Sam Wyatt leads four players with two or more digs per set with 2.97 dps. Chloe Foster is the team's blocks leader with 31 blocks on the year.
Nebraska-Kearney is 1-0 in conference action after starting the conference portion of the season with a 3-0 win at Hayts on Tuesday. The Lopers hit .275 as a team, while holding opponernts to a .107 attack percentage. The team gets 14.1 kills per set. The team is also sharp defensive ly with 19.3 digs and 2.1 blocks per set.
Individually, four Loper players average 2.0 or more kills per set, with Ariel Krolikowski leading with 3.48 kps. Katie Sokolowski puts down 2.85 kps and leads the team with a .428 hitting percentage. She also leads the team in blocks with 25 for 0.93 bps. The team's primary setter is Jenna Rouzee with 10.62 aps. She also can cause some damage at the net, as she gets in 1.54 kips and is the team's second leading blocker with 20 blocks on the season. Kaleigh Anderson records 5.33 digs per set and Liz McGowan adds 3.81 dps.
Fort Hays State is 6-4 headed into their Friday matchup against Central Oklahoma so far in 2012. The team started its season in Goodwell, Oklahoma at the Panhandle State Tournament finishing 4-0. At the Holiday Inn Classic in Grand Junction, Colorado the Tigers finished 2-3. In their latest action, FHSU fell to top-ranked Nebraska-Kearney in straight sets.
The Tigers are hitting .164 as a team and average 11.2 kps. They add 1.3 aces per set offensively. Defensively, the team puts down 2.1 bps and digs up 15.0 dps. Jenna Ulrich is the team’s leading hitter with 2.43 kps. Kylee Hoagland is just behind her, averaging 2.31 kps. Ulrich is also the team’s top blocker with 42 blocks on the season. Makenzie Weinman leads the team in digs (4.16 dps). Kayla Zoglman leads the Tigers in aces (15 on the season) and assists averaging 8.53 aps.
