PITTSBURG, Kan.—The Pittsburg State University Gorilla Volleyball team put up a valiant effort but key errors doomed them in their final non-conference match up on Tuesday night here at John Lance Arena on Whetzel Court. The No. 13 ranked Rockhurst Hawks defeated Pitt State in three sets by scores of 25-20, 25-19 and 25-11.

With the win the Hawks improve to 10-3 while the Gorillas fall to 7-4 overall.

The Gorillas started off on fire as they opened the first set with a 6-1 lead, however, they were unable to keep momentum as the Hawks rallied back eventually took the lead at 12-11. The Gorillas suffered a setback when they allowed Rockhurst to go on a 4-0 run late and take a 21-16 lead, and eventually the 25-20 lead.

A quick 5-1 lead for the Hawks in the second set saw them soar to the quick set two win. In the third set, the Gorillas posted a match-high 17 kills but it wasn't enough to overcome the hole they dug early.

In the contest the Gorillas had more kills than the Hawks by a tally of 43-37. Unfortunately, they had 24 errors compared to the Hawks nine.

Erika Ivkov set a new three-set season-high for kills with 15 on the night while Morgan Henning and Hope White each had nine. Laura Willoughby had 23 assists while Ivkov had 17 digs.

The Gorillas refocus their attention on Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) action on Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.) when the No. 11 Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats and the No. 14 University of Central Missouri Jennies visit John Lance Arena and Whetzel Court.