PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will hit the road to close out the regular season with a pair of MIAA matches Friday and Saturday (Nov. 2-3). The Gorillas will battle Emporia State University Friday at 6 p.m. at Emporia, Kan., and then travel to Topeka, Kan., Saturday for a 2 p.m. match against No. 11 Washburn University.
 
Scouting the Gorillas
Pitt State is 18-11 overall and 7-9 in MIAA playing heading into the weekend action. Pitt State knocked off MIAA rival Fort Hays State University (3-0) last Friday (Oct. 26) and dropped a 3-2 decision to No. 6 University of Nebraska Kearney Saturday (Oct. 27).
 
Offensively, senior rightside hitter Lauren Regier leads the squad with 325 kills (3.07 kps) followed closely by freshman outside hitter Meg Auten with 218 kills (2.48 kps).
 
Freshman setter Brianna Richard has collected 433 assists on the season, averaging 5.15 assists per set while also adding 1.58 digs per set.
 
Two defensive specialists – junior Lauren Dunn (4.15 dps), and Lauren Maisberger (2.68 dpg) ­– combine to pace the Pitt State defense, while sophomore middle blocker Emily Regier averages 1.07 blocks per set and currently ranks second in the MIAA for blocks.

Scouting the Opposition
ESU enters Friday's match-up at 12-17 overall and 6-10 in MIAA play.

Senior middle blocker Tatum Graves leads the team with 304 kills (2.79 kps) and chips in with 1.01 blocks per set. Outside hitter Taylor Otting contributes 3.24 digs per set, while Emma Dixon has recorded 732 assists (6.72 aps) from the setter position.

WU is 26-2 overall and 14-2 in the MIAA entering a Friday home match against the University of Central Oklahoma.

Junior outside hitter Erica Montgomery leads the offense averaging 3.03 kills per set with Allison Maxwell recording 3.09 kills per set. The Ichabods' defensive leaders are sophomore defensive specialist Faith Rottinghaus with 507 digs (5.34 dps) and senior middle hitter Makayla Maxwell with 0.95 blocks per set.