PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will complete a three-match road swing this weekend with matches against Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State.

The Gorillas will meet the Lopers Friday (Sept. 22) at 6 p.m. (CDT) at the Health & Sports Center in Kearney, Neb., and Pitt State will battle the Tigers Saturday (Sept. 23) at 2 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays, Kan.

The Gorilla Scoop
Pitt State is 5-5 overall and 1-1 in MIAA play thus far. The Gorillas made a strong conference debut last Tuesday (Sept. 12) by sweeping Newman in straight sets. Pitt State dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 25 ranked Central Oklahoma in its most recent action last Saturday (Sept. 16).

Senior outside hitter Janae Thurston (Peculiar, Mo.) leads the team with 133.0 points (3.69 per set) and 116 kills (3.22 per set) while also contributing 108 digs (3.00 per set) and 19 total blocks (0.53 per set) to date. Thurston currently ranks sixth in the MIAA for kills and eighth in points.

Junior setter Jadyn Jackson (Augusta, Kan.) has orchestrated the offense this season to the tune of 309 assists (8.58 per set). She also has totaled 108 digs (3.00 per set), 32 kills (0.89 per set) and 19 service aces (0.53 per set). Jackson ranks second in the MIAA for service aces and eighth in assists.

Redshirt junior middle hitter Carly Clennan (El Dorado, Kan.) leads the team and ranks fourth in the MIAA in blocks (1.16 per set). In addition to her 37 total blocks, Clennan has compiled 65.5 points (2.05 per set) and 45 kills (1.41 per set).

Additionally, junior outside hitter Seville Gates (Merriam, Kan.) has contributed 83.0 points (2.52 per set) and 71 kills (2.15 per set), while junior outside hitter Ivy Fink (Hoyt, Kan.) has compiled 69.0 points (1.92 per set), 55 kills (1.53 per set) and 95 digs (2.64 per set).

Sophomore libero Josie McCroskey (Springdale, Ark.) has posted a team-leading 143 digs to date. She ranks sixth in the MIAA in digs (3.97 per set).

Head Coach Jen Gomez
Jen Gomez is in her eighth season leading the Gorillas. She has a compiled a 87-120 (.420) 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 289-255 (.531) 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.

Prime-Time Lopers
10th ranked Nebraska-Kearney enters the weekend action seeking its 12th win of the season. The Lopers are 11-1 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA to date. UNK's lone loss came in a 3-0 road decision against Washburn on Sept. 15.
 
Graduate right side Jaden Ferguson has contributed a team-leading 142.0 points (3.84 per set), 113 kills (3.05 per set) and 33 total blocks (0.89 per set) to rank fifth in points, sixth in total blocks and eighth in kills and among MIAA ranks.

Graduate defensive specialist Celeste Friesen leads the way defensively with 129 digs (3.39 per set) along with adding 31 assists (0.82 per set). Friesen is 10^th in the MIAA for digs.

Redshirt sophomore Peyton Neff handles setting duties for the Lopers and has accumulated 414 (10.89 per set) assists so far to rank second in the MIAA while chipping in with 72 digs (1.89 per set), 39 kills (1.03 per set), 17 total blocks (0.45 per set) and 15 service aces (0.39 per set).

Into The Tigers Lair
Fort Hays State enters the weekend action at 6-5 (0-2 MIAA). The Tigers sport an unblemished 5-0 mark in home matches with victories over Kansas Wesleyan, New Mexico Highlands, Southern Nazarene, Minnesota State and Cameron to date.

Graduate middle blocker Emily Ellis leads the team with 123.0 points (3.08 per set) and 52 total blocks (1.30 per set) to ranks second in total blocks and tenth in points among the MIAA.

Sophomore outside hitter Gracie Rains has contributed a team-leading 113 kills (2.90 per set) to rank eighth in the MIAA with senior outside hitter Riley Tinder also having 100 kills (2.44 per set) to pace the attack.

Sophomore defensive specialist Brooke Hyland leads the team with 168 digs (4.10 per set) to be fourth in the MIAA and has dished out 16 assists (0.39 per set).

Sophomore Caiya Stucky handles the setting duties to the tune of 411 (10.02 per set) so far this season to be third in the MIAA along with contributing 73 digs (1.78 per set), 28 total blocks (0.68 per set) and 26 kills (0.63 per set).

Up Next
Following the weekend road action, the Gorillas will return for a five-match home-stand at John Lance Arena, starting with a repeat match-up against Central Oklahoma next Tuesday (Sept. 26).