PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will open up the 2017 season with its first 15 matches on the road starting this weekend with the Washburn University Invitational at Topeka.

The season-opening tournament is comprised of three teams from the MIAA, two from the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), two from Great American Conference (GAC), and one from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

Pitt State will debut with two matches Friday (Sept. 1) against Western State (Colo.) at 11 a.m. and Missouri-St. Louis at 3 p.m. The Gorillas will face a pair of GAC foes Saturday (Sept. 2) when they take on East Central (Okla.) at 9 a.m. and Arkansas Tech at 1:30 p.m.

Scouting the Gorillas

Second-year head coach Jen Gomez returns four players who started 20 or more matches in 2016.

Senior middle blocker Zoey Qi compiled 151 kills (2.01 kps) in 21 matches for the Gorillas a year ago, while adding 54 total blocks at the net (0.72 bps).

Junior rightside hitter Lauren Regier compiled 203 kills (1.97 kps) and 54 total blocks in 2016, while junior middle blocker Taylor Unke contributed 152 kills (1.41 kps) and 72 total blocks (0.67 bps) last year.

Junior setter Carolina VanBuskirk tallied 891 assists (8.41 aps) as well as 16 service aces on the season.

Scouting the Opposition

Pitt State's season-opening opponent Western State returns 10 players from a squad that posted a 14-12 record last year. Senior outside hitter Jordan Eatwill was second on the team with 298 kills in 2016. Senior defensive specialist Logan Franek led the Mountaineers defense with 2.46 digs per set a year ago.

UMSL logged an 18-12 record in 2016 and the Tritons welcome back 12 players from that squad. Sophomore right side hitter Selena Nolte led the team with 280 kills last year. Defensive specialist Danielle Waedekin returns for her senior season after leading the Tritons with 5.28 digs per set a year ago.

 ATU went 21-12 in 2016 including a September match-up against Pitt State, a 3-0 win by the Golden Suns. Junior outside hitter Hunter Eshnaur tallied 408 kills a year ago to pace ATU.

Up Next

Following the WU Invitational, Pitt State will travel to Rolla, Mo., to compete in the two-day Missouri S&T Middle of Everywhere Classic, Sept. 8-9.