PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State volleyball team will host William Jewell College Tuesday (Oct. 31) in a non-conference tilt at John Lance Arena. Match time is set for 6 p.m. (CDT).
The Gorilla Scoop
Pitt State brings an 8-16 overall record (4-12 MIAA) into Tuesday's action. The Gorillas dropped a pair of road matches last weekend against Central Missouri (3-0) and Missouri Southern (3-1).
Senior outside hitter Janae Thurston (Peculiar, Mo.) leads the team with 299.5 points (3.52 per set) and 268 kills (3.15 per set). Junior setter Jadyn Jackson (Augusta, Kan.) is the primary conductor of the offense to the tune of 716 assists (8.73 per set) and 36 service aces (0.44 per set).
Sophomore libero Josie McCroskey (Springdale, Ark.) has a team leading 369 digs (4.34 per set). Redshirt junior middle hitter Kate Bandre (Overland Park, Kan.) has 138 kills (1.70 per set), 163.0 points (2.01 per set) and 38 total blocks (0.47 per set).
Head Coach Jen Gomez
Jen Gomez is in her eighth season leading the Gorillas. She has a compiled an 90-131 (.407) overall record at Pitt State and led the Gorillas to four straight MIAA Tournament appearances.
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Overall, Gomez has 16 years of collegiate head coaching experience and a 292-266 (.523) career coaching record.
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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.
Cardinals Come Calling
William Jewell will come to town with a 10-15 mark. The Cardinals, who are 4-7 on the road to date, have faced four MIAA foes this season – Emporia State, Northwest Missouri, Missouri Southern and Missouri Western – and dropped all four decisions.
Junior outside hitter Bella LaPorta leads the team with 400.0 points (4.55 per set) and 365 kills (4.15 per set) while being second in digs with 288 (3.27 per set). Junior Samantha Thompson and Freshman Jesa Wallace split setting duties to the tune of 917 assists (10.61 per set) and 216 digs (2.53 per set).
Sophomore defensive specialist Alexis Nunn leads the team with 293 digs (3.33 per set). Junior middle blocker Katy Garrison leads the team with 82 total blocks (0.93 per set) while adding 158 kills (1.80 per set).
Up Next
Following Tuesday's match, the Gorillas will return to the road for MIAA matchups against Emporia State Friday (Nov. 3) and Washburn Saturday (Nov. 4).
