PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State volleyball program ended the week in historic fashion with a 3-1 win over No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney inside John Lance Arena Saturday, Oct. 21. Set scores were 25-19, 15-25, 26-24, 25-16.

Leading the way was junior middle hitter Phoenix Bailey (Rogers, Ark.) with 20.0 points from a season-high 17 kills (.484 hitting percentage) and five total blocks. Freshman outside hitter Avery DeLong (Overland Park, Kan.) registered season-highs with 12 kills (.375 hitting percentage) and five total blocks for 14.5 points. Defensively the Gorillas were led by sophomore libero Josie McCrosky (Springdale, Ark.) with 23 digs.

Senior outside hitter Janae Thurston (Peculiar, Mo.) finished with her ninth double-double performance of the season with 14 kills and a season-high 26 digs. Junior setter Jadyn Jackson (Augusta, Kan.) finished with her 11^th double-double of the season with a career-high 58 assists paired with 11 digs.

In set one the Gorillas (8-14, 4-10 MIAA) finished with 19 kills overall, as Bailey, DeLong and Thurston finished with four each in the set. Thurston complied 10 digs and two service aces with McCrosky contributing seven digs and Jackson dishing out 17 assists.

Set two was controlled by the Lopers (21-3, 11-3 MIAA) but Bailey finished the set with four kills and combined with DeLong for three blocks. Jackson finished with nine assists with McCroskey having a set-high seven digs.

Needing an extra point to claim the set, Pittsburg State once again was led by Bailey, DeLong and Thurston with four kills as Jackson contributed 16 assists and the team hit .298. For the set Thurston had a set-high nine digs and paired with Kate Bandre for a block.

In set four the Gorillas hit .359 as a team led by Bailey and Thurston having five kills as Jackson dished out 16 assists. Ivy Fink finished with a set-high eight digs followed by McCroskey with five and Jackson with four.

This was the first win over Nebraska-Kearney since Oct. 29, 1983 when the two programs were part of the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC).

Up next will be a road week first to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on the Jennies of Central Missouri at 6 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, Oct. 27 inside the Multipurpose Building followed by a rivalry matchup in Joplin, Mo. against the Lions of Missouri Southern at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.