PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will play its final two home matches of the 2024 season this weekend as the Gorillas ready themselves to host No. 11 ranked University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
 
Pitt State will meet the Bronchos at 6 p.m. Friday (Nov. 8) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court and then battle the Lions at 2 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 9). Saturday's match-up against UAFS will including Senior Day ceremonies in pregame activities.
 
The Gorilla Scoop
•       Pitt State is 10-12 overall (5-7 MIAA) on the season. The Gorillas are coming off three-set losses against No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney on Nov. 1 and Fort Hays State last Saturday (Nov. 2).
•       Statistical leaders for the season are Vix Vilott with 242.5 points (3.19 per set) and 195 kills (2.57 per set); Jesa Wallace with 384 assists (6.00 per set); Josie McCroskey with 391 digs (5.14 per set); and Anna Dean with 81 total blocks (1.07 per set).
•       Senior outside hitter, Ivy Fink (Hoyt, Kan.) registered her 1000th collegiate kill in the penultimate point against UCM (Oct. 11). Fink accumulated 697 kills at Butler Community College (2022-23) and in her two years at PSU has 315 kills currently.
•       Junior libero/defensive specialist, Josie McCroskey (Springdale, Ark.) became the 10th Gorilla in team history to eclipse 1000 career digs against MWSU (Oct. 18). Currently, McCroskey ranks ninth in team history with 1094 digs.
•       Jen Gomez is in her ninth season leading the Gorillas. She has a 102-146 overall record at PSU while leading the program into four of the last five MIAA Tournaments. Gomez notched his 100th career victory at PSU in the Gorillas 3-1 victory over UCM (Oct. 11) to become the third coach in team history (Ibraheem Suberu, 1999-2013 & Joan Warrington, 1978-83).
 
The Opposition
•       Central Oklahoma is 23-2 overall, 10-2 in the MIAA and ranked No. 11 in the most recent AVCA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. The Bronchos are 7-1 on the road with their lone setback coming against Missouri Western in a four-set battle on Oct. 12. Statistical leaders are Jenna Karp with 292.5 points (3.85 per set) and 61 total blocks (0.80 per set); Addison Wimmer leads the team with 257 kills (3.38 per set) as Lindsey Houran controls the offense with 937 assists (11.29 per set); Katie Le this season has accumulated 436 digs (5.07 per set) to lead the squad.
•       Arkansas-Fort Smith enters the weekend at 12-12 overall and 4-8 in the MIAA. The Lions are 5-4 on the road with their most recent match being a four-set victory over then No. 10 UCO (Oct. 23). Statistical leaders are Nyia Anderson with 302.0 points (3.28 per set), 261 kills (2.84 per set) and 337 digs (3.66 per set); Scarlette Young with 492 assists (5.66 per set); and Hannah Watkins with 105 total blocks (1.17 per set).