RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Pittsburg State closed out the non-conference portion of the season with two losses to Harding, 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-16) and Arkansas Tech, 3-1 (25-10, 25-16, 23-25, 25-17).

In the match against Harding, the Gorillas hit .147 to .288 for the Bison. The team had problems with hitting errors in the first two sets. It had only three errors in the final set, but was only able to put down seven kills. Harding had 17 kills in the final set.

Maggie Highberger led the Gorillas with seven kills. Noelle Dooley and Lauren Regier each added six kills. Taylor Unke had four kills and also contributed four blocks, two solo and two assisted. Ashlen Schwartz led the team with 12 kills.

Arkansas Tech is a very strong defensive team. The Golden Suns only allowed the Gorillas to put down six kills in the first set, while recording 17 digs and two blocks. The Gorillas saw offensive improvement in the second set that propelled them to a 25-23 win in the third set. The Gorillas led most of the third set. The Gorillas put down 16 kills in set three, more than in the previous two sets together, and only committed four hitting errors. The Gorillas got down early in the fourth set, but came back coming within three points before falling 25-17.

Highberger and Unke led the team with eight kills apiece. Regier added seven. Lexi Fulghum helped the scoring with three blocks. Three Pitt State players had double digit digs, led by Ashlen Schwartz with 18. Chandler Templin added 11 digs, while Hayley Hansford combined 14 digs with 17 assists for a double-double.

Pitt State begins MIAA play, and will host its first home games of the season, next weekend. The Gorillas will take on Lindenwood on Friday (September 25) at 7 p.m. and No. 6 Central Missouri on Saturday (September 26) at 4 p.m. in John Lance Arena.