TOPEKA — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team wrapped up action in the Washburn University Invitational Saturday (Sept. 2) by splitting a pair of matches for a second straight day. The Gorillas claimed a 3-0 win (25-22, 25-13, 25-22) against East Central University before wrapping up the weekend with a 3-0 loss (25-21, 25-13, 25-15) against Arkansas Tech University. 

The Gorillas battled offensive errors early in the first set against ECU, but strong defensive efforts from Lauren Maisberger (seven digs) helped PSU pull ahead late to take a 25-22 win. Pitt State's offense came alive in set two with three players logging two or more kills in the sit. Carolina VanBuskirk ended the set with back-to-back services aces for a 25-13 win.

The Gorillas took advantage of multiple errors from the Tigers throughout the third set and Pitt State put down 14 kills as a team en route to a 25-22 advantage and a 3-0 victory.        

The Gorillas ran into a formidable foe in Arkansas Tech in the final match of the weekend. The Golden Suns pulled out a tight 25-21 win in the first set, before pulling away with 25-13 and 25-15 wins in sets two and three to take the match victory.

Cameron Blanton made a strong impact in the match with 11 assists and seven digs. Mia Bledsoe led the team with five kills, while Raven Lawlor tallied 10 digs.

The Gorillas will return to action Friday and Saturday (Sept. 8-9) at the Missouri University of Science and Technology Invitational at Rolla, Mo. PSU will face off against Ashland (10 a.m.) and Missouri S&T (7 p.m.) Friday and will open Saturday's action against Christian Brothers.