PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will return to action Friday and Saturday (Aug. 31- Sept. 1) when the Gorillas host the Pitt State Volleyball Classic.

Pitt State will start the weekend with two matches Friday against Chadron State at 1 p.m. and Cameron at 5 p.m. The Gorillas will complete the tournament play Saturday when they battle Christian Brothers at 1 p.m. and then Northwestern Oklahoma at 5 p.m.

Scouting the Gorillas
Pitt State will take a 4-0 record to the Pitt State Classic. The Gorillas will look to continue a four-match win streak into the weekend.
 
Offensively, senior rightside hitter Lauren Regier leads the squad with 50 kills (3.33 kps) followed closely by freshman outside hitter Meg Auten with 42 kills (2.80 kps).
 
Sophomore setter Camryn Blanton has collected 131 assists on the young season, averaging 8.73 assists per set.
 
Junior defensive specialist Lauren Dunn helps pace the Pitt State defense with 92 digs (6.13 dps), while sophomore middle blocker Emily Regier averages 0.79 blocks per set.

Scouting the Opposition
Pitt State's opening opponent – Chadron State – comes in with an 0-4 record. The Eagles return eight players from 2017 and added three transfers to their 2018 roster. Freshman outside hitter Aracely Hernandez leads the offense averaging 2.40 kills per set. The Eagles' defense starts with junior defensive specialist Ashton Burditt (6.40 digs per set) and sophomore middle blocker Chandler Hagerman (0.53 blocks per set).

Cameron has logged a 1-4 record and the Aggies welcome back 11 players from 2017. Senior outside hitter Paige Dixon leads the team with 2.28 kills per set and senior middle blocker Brandy Carr chips in with 1.28 kills per set and 0.94 blocks per set. Defensive specialist Brittnee Altic contributes 6.11 digs per set.
 
Christian Brothers enters the tournament with a 2-2 record. Junior outside hitter Emma Lenior averages 4.44 kills per set while junior middle blocker Gennah Schoen contributes 0.73 blocks per set. Senior defensive specialist Blythe Clausen leads the defense with 3.28 digs per set.
 
Northwestern Oklahoma has started off the season with a 4-0 record. The Rangers return 10 players from 2017 and have added nine freshmen to the 2018 roster. Senior outside hitter Brooklynn Hesson leads the offense with 4.23 kills per set, while sophomore setter Kaitlyn Robinson contributes 11.09 assists per set. Senior defensive specialist Tobi Barker averages 4.25 digs per set to pace the defense.

Up Next
Following the Pitt State Classic, Pitt State will travel to Kansas City, Mo., to play against Rockhurst on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.