PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will return to action Friday and Saturday (Oct. 6-7) when the Gorillas battle a pair of MIAA foes in road matches. The Gorillas will meet Washburn University Friday at Topeka at 7 p.m. and Emporia State University Saturday at Emporia, Kan., at 7 p.m.
 
Scouting the Gorillas
Pitt State enters the weekend action with a 3-14 overall record and an 0-5 MIAA mark. The Gorillas will seek to halt an eight-match losing streak.
Offensively, junior rightside hitter Lauren Regier leads the squad with 186 kills (2.95 kps) followed closely by junior rightside hitter Noelle Dooley with 144 kills (2.48 kps).
 
Junior setter Carolina VanBuskirk has collected 353 assists on the season, averaging 5.79 assists per set.
 
Sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Maisberger helps pace the Pitt State defense with 221 digs (3.75 dps), while freshman middle blocker Emily Regier averages 0.87 blocks per set.
 
Scouting the Opposition
Washburn is 11-6 overall and 2-3 in MIAA play entering Friday's action. Sophomore outside hitter Erica Montgomery leads the Ichabods offense averaging 2.88 kills per set. Washburn's defensive leaders are freshmen defensive specialist Faith Rottinghaus with 300 digs (4.62 dps) and junior middle blocker Makayla Maxwell (1.13 blocks per set).

Emporia State is 10-8 overall and 2-3 in the MIAA entering a Friday home match against Central Oklahoma. Freshmen setter/right side hitter Yuchen Du leads the team with 223 kills (3.33 kps) and junior middle blocker Tatum Graves chips in with 2.28 kps and 1.00 blocks per set. Sophomore defensive specialist Allie Maloney contributes 4.39 digs per set.
 
Up Next
Following the weekend matchups, Pitt State will return home to host Northwest Missouri on Friday, Oct. 13, and Missouri Western on Saturday, Oct. 14, at John Lance Arena.