PITTSBURG, Kan. -- The Pittsburg State Volleyball team (6-9, 3-4 MIAA) will host Northwest Missouri (6-7, 2-2 MIAA) in its annual Block Breast Cancer game on Thursday, October 10 at 7 p.m. in John Lance Arena. 

Fans are encouraged to wear pink and the Gorillas will be wearing special edition pink jerseys. Via Christi and Angels Among Us will be on hand with giveaways and information on early dectection services they offer to community members battling cancer. Student-athletes will be collecting money for each block the Gorillas put down during the match with the aim of collecting at least $10 per block. All money collected will go directly to Angels Among Us to help with services for local women battling cancer and their families. 

In addition, the Pitt State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be collecting kid friendly food items for the Backpack Program at Westside Elementary.

Pitt State has won three of its last five matches. Three of the team's four losses in confrence play have come at the hands of nationally ranked teams. 

The Gorillas average 11.43 kps and Crystal Whitten leads three players averaging 2.00 kps or more with 3.81 kps. Abbie Smith adds 2.12 and Madi Mosier 2.02 kps. Jordan Rehm leads the team with 5.24 dps. Whitten adds 2.91 dps and Ashlen Schwartz is third with 2.70 dps. Paula Okrutna is the team's blocks leader with 43.0 blocks, Haylee Gregory adds 42.0 and Madi Mosier 39.0. Hayley Hansford runs the offense from the setter position with 9.22 aps.

Northwest Missouri averages 13.46 kps and hits at a .215 clip. Abby Graves (2.44 kps) and Brooke Bartosh (3.02 kps) lead the offense. Bailey Vance leads the team in digs with 4.46 dps as the team records 15.50 dps. The Bearcats average 1.71 bps. Mackie Keller and Jackie Becker lead the team in blocks with 33 and 32 blocks on the season, respectivey.