PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will return to action Friday and Saturday (Sept. 7-8) when the Gorillas travel to Edmond, Okla., to take part in the GAC/MIAA Crossover.

Pitt State will start the weekend with two matches Friday against Southern Nazarene at 10 a.m. and Northwestern Oklahoma at 4 p.m. The Gorillas will complete the tournament action Saturday when they battle Oklahoma Baptist at 10 a.m. and East Central (Okla.) at 6 p.m.

Scouting the Gorillas
Pitt State will take a 7-2 record to the GAC/MIAA Regional Crossover. The Gorillas will look to halt a two-match losing streak after starting the season 7-0. Pitt State dropped a 3-0 decision on the road against Rockhurst in its last action Tuesday (Sept. 4).
 
Offensively, senior rightside hitter Lauren Regier leads the squad with 102 kills (3.29 kps) followed closely by freshman outside hitter Meg Auten with 87 kills (2.90 kps).
 
Regier was named MVP in Pitt State's most recent action at the Pitt State Gorillas Classic Aug. 31- Sept. 1. Meg Auten was also named to the All-Tournament team.

Sophomore setter Camryn Blanton has collected 305 assists on the young season, averaging 9.84 assists per set.
 
Junior defensive specialist Lauren Dunn helps pace the Pitt State defense with 154 digs (4.97 dps), while sophomore middle blocker Emily Regier averages 0.60 blocks per set.

Scouting the Opposition
Pitt State's opening opponent – Southern Nazarene – comes in with a 4-5 record. The Crimson Storm return 10 players from 2017 and added eight freshmen to their 2018 roster. Junior outside hitter Bailee Turang leads the offense averaging 3.72 kills per set. The Crimson Storm defense starts with freshman defensive specialist Logan Matthews recording 143 digs (4.47 dps) and freshman middle blocker Bailey Grimes putting up 0.59 blocks per set.

NWOSU has logged an 8-2 record and the Rangers welcome back 10 players from 2017. Senior outside hitter Brooklynn Hesson leads the team with 3.37 kills per set and senior outside hitter Hannah Williams chips in with 3.44 kps and 0.44 blocks per set. Defensive specialist Tobi Barker contributes 3.82 digs per set.
 
OBU, which returns nine players from 2017, has started off the season with a 4-6 record. Sophomore outside hitter Malia Leatherland averages 3.25 kills per set while sophomore middle blocker Brecken Roquermore contributes 0.73 blocks per set. Freshman defensive specialist Delayna Mills leads the defense with 5.14 digs per set.
 
East Central enters the tournament with an 0-9 record. The Tigers returns 10 players from the 2017 roster. Senior middle blocker Karina Erreguin leads the offense with 2.83 kills per set, while sophomore setter Sydeny Dungen contributes 5.47 assists per set. Senior defensive specialist Abbey Wehrman averages 4.30 digs per set to lead the defense.

Up Next
Following the GAC/MIAA Crossover, Pitt State will return home to start MIAA play against Missouri Southern on Friday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m.