TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Pittsburg State volleyball team lost the final two matches of the Washburn Invitational on Saturday (September 5). The Gorillas lost to Drury, 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-6), and to Black Hills State, 3-1 (27-25, 20-25, 26-25, 25-20).
Set scores were close with the exception of the last set against Drury as the young Gorilla squad works to find the right blend of skills, chemistry and leadership on on the court.
"Our on court strategic team chemistry developed throughout the course of the tournament," head coach Jenny Mueller said. "I felt like we made strides in the the right direction with each match we played. We are definitely a team that will not peak too early. This was a good opportunity to determine how to utilize each of our assets, both offensively and defensively."
Against Drury, Pitt State was outblocked 10.0 to 1.0. The Panthers hit at a .287 clip as a team, while holding the Gorillas to just a .031 hitting percentage.
Lexi Fulghum led Pitt Tate with eight kills. She and Lana DaSilva combined for the team's only block. Maggie Highberger added five kills. Ashlen Schwartz was the only player with double figure digs with 11.
The second match of the day, against Black Hills State, saw some improvement for Pitt State. The Gorillas outblocked the Yellow Jackets, 6-0 to 4.5, and also recorded more digs. Black Hills State managed only four more kills than Pitt State, but hit at a slightly higher percentage, .301 to a much improved .231 for the Gorillas.
Three Pitt State players recorded double figure kills, led again by Fulghum with 13. Highberded added 12, and DaSilva, 11. Taylor Unke just missed double figures with nine. DaSilva and Erin Wolford each recorded three blocks and Unke added two. Hayley Hansford had 30 assists in the match and served up three aces. Ashlen Schwartz led all players with 25 digs in the match.
Pitt State plays in another tournament next weekend, as the Gorillas travel to Kansas City, Mo. for the Rockhurst Invitational. The team will play Winona State and Oklahoma Baptist on Friday and Wayne State and Rockhurst on Saturday. Matches are at noon and 5 p.m. both days.
