HAYS, Kan. -- The Pitt State Volleyball team gave Fort Hays State a challenge, but came up short with a 25-19, 26-24, 25-14 loss on Saturday (October 15) afternoon. 

Too many errors were a problem for the Gorillas as they hit .066 for the match, with 31 kills and 24 errors in 106 attempts. Pitt State also had seven services errors with only three aces. The team had only one fewer blocks than the Tigers, 7.0 to 6.0.

The second set was the best for the Gorillas, as the put down 13 kills with only five errors. There were 10 ties and four lead changes in the set. Pitt State earned the lead early in the match and although the couldn't keep it, the held the Tigers close until they were able to take the lead late at 21-20 on a Taylor Unke kill. The two teams then tied the set at 21, 22, 23 and 24 before Fort Hays State used back-to-back kills to end the match. 

Zoey Qi and Maggie Highberger led the Gorillas with seven kills each. Qi also added three blocks, while Highberger had one block and three digs. Lauren Regier and Taylor Unke each added six kills. Unke added three blocks and Regier, two. Cal VanBuskirk had 30 of the team's 31 assists and two of the three service aces. Ashlen Schwartz and Raven Lawlor each tallied eight digs. 

The Gorillas will return home for their next five matches. The five-game home stands starts with Washburn and Emporia State next Friday and Saturday (October 21 & 22). Both matches will be played in John Lance Arena at 6 p.m.