PITTSBURG — The Missouri Southern State University volleyball team won an epic battle in set one and rode that early momentum to a 3-1 victory over Pittsburg State University Friday (Sept. 29) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

The Lady Lions (10-4, 3-2 MIAA) outlasted the Gorillas (6-8, 2-4 MIAA), 35-33, in a marathon opening set and eventually claimed a 35-33, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14 win.

Janae Thurston (17), Kate Bandre (11) and Carly Clennan (10) all logged double-digit kills in the match, but Pitt State was victimized by 25 hitting errors and 10 service errors in the contest.

Thurston added a team-leading 25 digs, while Mia Brown and Josie McCroskey added 22 and 21 digs, respectively. Jadyn Jackson finished with 42 assists.

MSSU got a team-leading 16 kills from Fernanda Canedo.

The Gorillas will look to bounce back Saturday (Sept. 30) when Pitt State entertains the University of Central Missouri at 2 p.m. (CDT).