EDMOND, Okla.—Behind 53 kills and huge runs, the Pittsburg State University Gorillas earned a hard-fought four-set win over the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) action on Friday night.

The Gorillas, who improved to 7-3 overall and 2-0 in the MIAA, defeated the Bronchos by set scores of 25-20, 17-25, 25-15 and 25-19. The Bronchos entered the weekend receiving votes in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll.

Despite UCO jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead the Gorillas rallied back with a 5-1 run and took momentum early in the game. The two teams than traded runs and eventually points as the first set was tied up the match at 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 before the Gorillas strung two points together for a little bit of breathing room. Even with a time out, a streak served by Adison Weybrew saw Pitt State grow the lead to 20-15.  They were able to close out the first set 25-20.

The second set started the same with both teams throwing punches, however, the Bronchos broke loose and went on a 9-0 run to jump out to an 18-9 lead. That was all the momentum they needed as they took the second set 25-17 to tie the match at 1-set each.

The third set was a completely different story as the Gorillas forced the Bronchos to use their first time out after 11 points were scored. Pitt State jumped out to an 8-3 lead. Behind 12 kills the Gorillas offset a late surge and took an advantage in the match, 2-1, with a 25-15 win.

In the fourth set, the Bronchos jumped out to an early five-point lead, however, a huge rally by Pitt State that included four Central Oklahoma errors allowed them to rally back and tie the set at ten. Weybrew than gave the Gorillas their first lead of the set with three straight points off her serves.

Erika Ivkov and Morgan Henning paced four Gorillas who had double-digit kills on the night as they both tallied 13. Meg Auten (11) and Emily Auten (10) were the other two. The Gorrilas also had two aces and 20 digs from Weybrew and 26 assists by Laura Willoughby.

The Gorillas return home next week for three straight home conference games against ranked opponents. The Gorillas will host No. 17 Rockhurst (6 p.m.) on Tuesday, No. 15 Northwest Missouri (6 p.m.)  on Friday and No. 12 Central Missouri (2 p.m.) on Saturday. Entering Tuesday's match, the Gorillas are a perfect 5-0 in John Lance Arena on Whetzel Court.