PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will hit the road for Wichita, Kan., Tuesday (Oct. 17) for an MIAA match-up against Newman University. First serve is set for 6 p.m. (CDT) at Fugate Gymnasium.

The Gorilla Scoop
Pitt State is 6-13 overall and 2-9 in the MIAA. Last weekend, the Gorillas dropped a pair of 3-0 decisions on the road against Missouri Western State University Friday (Oct. 13) and against Northwest Missouri State University Saturday (Oct. 14).

Senior outside hitter Janae Thurston (Peculiar, Mo.) leads the team with 237.5 points (3.54 per set) and 211 kills (3.15 per set).

Sophomore libero Josie McCroskey (Springdale, Ark.) has a team leading 281 digs (4.19 per set).

Junior setter Jadyn Jackson (Augusta, Kan.) is the primary conductor of the offense to the tune of 563 assists (8.40 per set) and 29 service aces (0.43 per set).

Redshirt junior middle hitters Carly Clennan (El Dorado, Kan.) and Kate Bandre (Overland Park, Kan.) combine to offer something slightly different in the middle as Clennan has posting 58 total blocks (0.94 per set), 89 kills (1.44 per set) and 122.0 points (1.97 per set) while Bandre has 109 kills (1.73 per set) and 128.5 points (2.04 per set).

Head Coach Jen Gomez
Jen Gomez is in her eighth season leading the Gorillas. She has a compiled an 88-128 (.407) overall record at Pitt State and led the Gorillas to four straight MIAA Tournament appearances.
 
Overall, Gomez has 16 years of collegiate head coaching experience and a 290-263 (.524) career coaching record.
 
 Gomez averaged 26.8 wins per year in five seasons as head coach at Oklahoma City University from 2006-10 while restarting a program that had been dormant on campus since 1983.

Jets On The Tarmac
Newman is searching for its first win of the season heading into Tuesday's match-up with an 0-18 overall record (0-10 MIAA). The Gorillas and Jets faced off earlier this season in Pittsburg on Sept. 12 with Pitt State prevailing, 3-0.

Sophomore middle blocker Natalie Meyer leads the team with 134.0 points (2.35 per set) 36 total blocks (0.63 per set) and 18 service aces (0.32 per set) while also contributing 96 kills (1.68 per set).

Junior outside hitter Makenna Reinert has a team-high 113 kills (1.92 per set) for 120.5 points (2.04 per set).

Senior Mckinzie Weaver and sophomore Avery Dempsey split setting duties with Weaver contributing 238 assists (4.58 per set) and 11 digs (2.13 per set) and Dempsey having 178 assists (3.79 per set) and 82 digs (1.74 per set).

Senior libero Natalie Morales leads the team with 236 digs (4.00 per set).

Up Next
Following Tuesday's action, the Gorillas will return home to entertain Fort Hays State University Friday (Oct. 20) and the University of Nebraska-Kearney Saturday (Oct. 21).