Box Score
PITTSBURG, Kan. -- The Pitt State volleyball team (9-7, 1-6 MIAA) took a set from the No. 8 Central Missouri Jennies (13-3, 7-0 MIAA) and played close the entire match, but fell 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-14, 25-22) on Saturday afternoon in John Lance Arena.
Central Missouri took set one 25-20. The set went back and forth between the two teams with five ties and four lead changes. The Gorillas led by as many as four points several times in the set, including as late as 19-15. UCM capitalized on PSU hitting errors to go on a 10-1 run and take the first set.
Pitt State answered back with a 26-24 win in the second set. The Gorillas only trailed early in the set, but tied the set at 4-4 on a Haylee Gergory kill and went ahead on a Nicole Rockhold kill. Though the match tied four more times, including at 24-24, Pitt State was able to hang on and used back to back Rockhold kills for the set win.
Central Missouri easily won set three 25-14.
Set four saw Pitt State again take an early lead, going ahead by 10-3 to start the set. The Jennies came back ot tie the set at 11-11. The set was tied four more times, as late as 19-19 before a Taylor Goodness kill gave UCM the lead for good. They won set four 25-22 to take the match 3-1.
Rockhold led all players with 14 kills. She recorded a double-double on the night as she also had 16 digs, which led the Gorillas. Crystal Whitten also hit in double figures for Pitt State with 11. Both of Pitt State setters recorded double doubles. Becca Pearson had 21 assists and 13 digs and Hayley Hansford had 22 assists with 11 digs. Christa McCaw added 15 digs to round out players in double figures for PIttsburg State. Paula Okrutna led the team in blocks with four (one solo and three assisted).
Goodness was the only UCM player to hit in double figures with 10 kills. Annie Reilly led all players with 27 digs. Bradye Peniston had seven blocks in the match.
Pitt State will travel to Warrensburg, Mo. next weekend to face Arkansas Tech on Friday and have a rematch with the Jennies on Saturday.
