PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team found the friendly confines of John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court to its liking Friday (Sept. 2) as the Gorillas swept a pair of home matches in the Gorilla Classic.

Pitt State needed five sets to fend off New Mexico Highlands in the day's opening action, after the Gorillas built an early 2-0 lead against the Cowgirls. Against the University of Mary, Pitt State dropped set one but bounced back to sweep the next three sets against the Marauders.

Janae Thurston paced the Gorillas against NMHU with 15 kills, while Brianna Richard compiled 45 assists and Marissa Bates totaled 24 digs in the match.

Richard added a career best 55 assists to close out day one action against Mary. Thurston added 18 kills and 20 digs, while Bates finished with a team-leading 22 digs. Seville Gates also chipped in with 14 kills.

The Gorillas improved to 3-3 on the young season with the wins. Pitt State will wrap up the two-day Gorilla Classic action with an 11:30 a.m. match against Arkansas Monticello and a 7 p.m. contest against Cameron.