PITTSBURG, Kan.—The Pittsburg State University Gorillas Volleyball Team overcame a slow start and defeated the Emporia State University Hornets in five sets in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) on Friday here on Whetzel Court in John Lance Arena.

The Gorillas improve to 9-7 overall and 4-3 in the MIAA while Emporia falls to 5-11 overall and 1-7 in the MIAA. Pitt State won with set scores of 17-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-18 and 15-11.
The Gorillas allowed the Hornets to jump out to an early lead but they kept within reach and even led, however a huge run by Emporia junior Shelby Innes doomed them in the later stages of the first set and they fell 25-17.

The Gorillas rallied and took easy control of the second set and used 16 kills to win the second set 25-18.

In the third set the Hornets jumped out to an early lead and led by as many as six early but the Gorillas rallied back to within three, 19-16. The momentum would swing the other way however, as Emporia won 25-20.

The fourth set saw the Gorillas rally in the middle of the set. They trailed 14-11 and went on a 7-0 run to take an 18-14 lead before winning the set 25-18.

The final set was close, however, they pulled away late and won.

The Gorillas outkilled the Hornets 70-59 with 16 kills posted in each the second, third and fourth set. Erika Ivkov led the way for the Gorillas with 26 kills while Morgan Henning was three back with 23 kills.  Brianna Richard had 35 assists in the game while Addison Weybrew had 17 digs to pace Pitt State.

The Gorillas will return to action tomorrow, Saturday, when they host No. 5 Washburn at 2 p.m. After this weekend the Gorillas return to the road for a Tuesday match up in Joplin when they take on Missouri Southern at 6 p.m. They will than return home next Friday and Saturday for 6 p.m. tilts with Nebraska-Kearney (Friday) and Fort Hays State (Saturday).