JOPLIN, Mo. -- Two of the sets were determined by only two points, but Missouri Southern got the best of the Gorilla Volleyball team on Saturday (October 10). Pitt State fell 3-0, 28-26, 25-18 and 25-23.
Pitt State was able to keep their rivals close, despite committing twice as many hitting errors, 33 to 16. The first and third sets were battles from start to finish. In the first set, Missouri Southern led by three early, but after a tie at 5-5, the two teams went point for point to the end. The third sent went much the same way. Mid-set Emporia State took a 10-6 lead, but the Gorillas rattled off five straight points to take an 11-10 lead. The Gorillas held the lead as late as 23-22. but the Lions sored the last three points of the match to win 25-23.
Lana DaSilva led the Gorilla with eight kills. Lauren Regier added seven and Taylor Unke, six. Unke added four blocks, one solo and three assisted to lead the Gorillas. Ashlen Schwartz recorded a team-high 16 digs, while Taylor Wright added 11.
Pitt State will return to John Lance Arena next week for a Friday, 7 p.m. match against No. 16 Nebraska-Kearney and a 6 p.m. match on Saturday against Fort Hays State.
