PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will return to action Friday and Saturday (Sept. 8-9) by traveling to Rolla, Mo., to take part in the Missouri University of Science & Technology Middle of Everywhere Classic.
The tournament is comprised of eight NCAA Division II teams, including squads from the MIAA, the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and the Gulf South Conference (GSC).
Pitt State will start the weekend with two matches Friday (Sept. 8) against Ashland University at 10 a.m. and the host school, Missouri S&T, at 7 p.m. The Gorillas will return to action Saturday (Sept. 9) when they take on Christian Brothers at Noon and wrap up the action against an opponent to be determined (bracket play) at 3 p.m.
Scouting the Gorillas
Junior rightside hitter Lauren Regier compiled 47 kills (3.36 kps) in the opening weekend, while junior outside hitter Noelle Dooley contributed 30 kills (2.31 kps) and freshman middle blocker Emily Regier chipped in with 11 total blocks (0.79 bps).
Freshman setter Camryn Blanton tallied 61 assists (4.36 aps) and junior setter Carolina Vanbuskirk recorded 55 assists (4.58 aps) in the four matches.
Sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Maisberger led the defense with 47 digs (3.93 dps) with sophomore defensive specialist Raven Lawlor following behind with 47 digs (3.36 dps).
Scouting the Opposition
Pitt State's opening opponent Ashland comes in with an unblemished 4-0 record. The Eagles return 10 players from 2016 and added four freshmen to their 2017 roster. Junior setter Kayla Pfeiffer sets up the offense with 11.07 assists per set. Sophomore outside hitter Shelby Woycik leads the team with 4.64 kills per set. Ashland's defense starts with junior middle blocker Reanne Neal putting up 1.21 blocks per set. Senior defensive specialist Melanie Aguayo also contributes with 4.43 digs per set.
Missouri S&T logged a 1-3 record in its opening weekend of the 2017 season and the Miners welcome back 13 players from 2016. Sophomore outside hitter Emilee Schlader leads the team with 3.22 kills per set. Defensive specialist Corinne Stulce recorded 4.31 digs per set and freshman middle hitter Calla Meyer averaged 1.67 blocks per set to help lead the Miners defense.
Christian Brothers returns nine players from 2016 and added three freshmen to round off its 2017 roster. The Buccaneer started off the season with a 3-1 record. Sophomore outside hitter Emma Lenior averages 3.71 kills per set while junior setter Alexa Henderson contributes 9.13 assists per set. Junior defensive specialist Blythe Clausen leads the defense with 4.18 digs per set.
Up Next
Following the Missouri S&T Invitational, Pitt State will travel to Edmond, Okla., to compete in the two-day GAC/MIAA Regional Crossover, Sept. 14-15.