Pittsburg, Kan. – The Pittsburg State University volleyball program will begin its MIAA slate Tuesday (Sept. 12) against the Newman University Jets. First serve is set for 6 p.m. (CDT) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

The Gorilla Scoop
Pitt State is 4-4 on the young season after completing play in the Gorilla Classic Sept. 8-9 in Pittsburg. The Gorillas posted a 3-1 record in their home tournament with wins over Drury (3-2), Northwestern Oklahoma (3-1) and Arkansas Fort Smith (3-0). Pitt State's lone loss came at the hands of No. 11 ranked Southwest Minnesota State.

Senior outside hitter Janae Thurston (Peculiar, Mo.) leads the team with 112.0 points (3.73 per set) and 97 kills (3.23 per set) while also contributing 89 digs (2.97 per set) and 17 total blocks (0.57 per set) to date. Thurston currently ranks fourth in the MIAA in points.

Junior setter Jadyn Jackson (Augusta, Kan.) has orchestrated the offense this season to the tune of 262 assists (8.73 per set). She also has totaled 95 digs (3.17 per set), 30 kills (1.00 per set) and 14 service aces (0.47 per set). Jackson ranks sixth in the MIAA in both assists and services aces.

Redshirt junior middle hitter Carly Clennan (El Dorado, Kan.) leads the team and ranks fifth in the MIAA in blocks (1.12 per set). In addition to her 29 total blocks, Clennan has compiled 51.0 points (1.96 per set) and 35 kills (1.35 per set).

Additionally, junior outside hitter Seville Gates (Merriam, Kan.) has contributed 68 points (2.52 per set) and 59 kills (2.19 per set), while junior outside hitter Ivy Fink (Hoyt, Kan.) has compiled 61.5 points (2.05 per set), 49 kills (1.63 per set) and 80 digs (2.67 per set).

Sophomore libero Josie McCroskey (Springdale, Ark.) has posted a team-leading 116 digs to date. She ranks seventh in the MIAA in digs (3.87 per set).

Head Coach Jen Gomez
Jen Gomez is in her eighth season leading the Gorillas. She has a compiled a 91-99 (.479) 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 251-216 (.537) career coaching record. She earned her 250^th career coaching victory in the Gorillas 3-1 win against Northwestern Oklahoma on Sept. 8.

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.

All-Tournament Gorillas
Three members of the Pitt State squad were voted to the 2023 Gorilla Classic All-Tournament Team:  Ivy Fink, Seville Gates and Jadyn Jackson.

Fink posted 36 kills (2.40 per set) and 52 digs (3.47 per set) in the tournament action, while Gates made 44 kills (2.93 per set) and 15 blocks (1.00 per set) on the weekend. Jackson accounted for 137 assists (9.13 per set) and 12 service aces (0.80 per set).
 
 
The Jets Stream
Newman enters Tuesday's action seeking its first win of the season. The Jets are 0-7 to date.

Junior outside hitter Makenna Reinhert has contributes a team-leading 61.0 points (2.35 per set) and 56 kills (2.15 per set) on the young season.

Junior middle blocker Ozioma Ajekwu leads the way in total blocks with 15 (0.71 per set) while adding 34 kills (1.62 per set) as well.

Senior libero/defensive specialist Natalie Morales has a team-high 111 digs (4.27) along with 24 assists (0.92 per set).

Senior Mckinzie Weaver and sophomore Avery Dempsey share the setting duties with Weaver contributing 106 assists (4.08 per set) and Dempsey totaling 84 assists (3.23 per set).

Up Next
Following the Gorillas home match against the Jets Tuesday, Pitt State will travel to Edmond, Okla., Saturday (Sept. 16) to battle the University of Central Oklahoma. First serve is set for 6 p.m. (CDT) at Hamilton Field House.