Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State volleyball team exited day one action of the 2023 Gorilla Classic with a pair of victories Friday (Sept. 8) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.
 
The Gorillas improved to 3-3 on the young season after dispatching Drury University, 3-2, Friday morning and punctuating the day's action with a 3-1 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Pitt State and 11th ranked Southwest Minnesota State University each finished the day with 2-0 marks, while the University of Arkansas Fort Smith posted a 1-1 record. Drury and Northwestern Okla. each finished the day 0-2.

Against the Lady Panthers, Janae Thurston and Ivy Fink paced the Gorillas with 12 kills apiece, while Seville Gates added 10 kills as the Gorillas won a thriller, 22-25, 25-12, 20-25, 25-20, 18-16. Fink, who closed the match with the final point in game five, and Thurston each logged double-doubles with 23 and 13 digs, respectively.

Setter Jadyn Jackson chipped in with three kills, three service aces and 36 assists, while libero Josie McCroskey contributed 23 digs.

In the nightcap, Thurston pounded out 15 kills, while Gates added 13 kills and Kate Bandre posted 11 kills with just two errors in 33 attempts (.333 pct.) as the Gorillas rolled 22-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22. Jackson enjoyed a big night with 42 assists, 18 digs and seven of Pitt State's 12 service aces in the match.

Carly Clennan added eight of the Gorillas 20 block assists in the contest and McCroskey posted a match high 24 digs.

Saturday's action includes five matches beginning at 9 a.m. The Gorillas will battle Southwest Minn. St. at 2 p.m. and wrap the two-day tournament with a 7 p.m. match against UAFS.