PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will travel to Denton, Texas, to take part in the Denton Volleyfest hosted by Texas Woman's University.

The three-day tournament will begin Thursday (Sept. 12) and run through Saturday (Sept. 14) at Kitty Magee Arena on the TWU campus.

The Gorillas will open tournament play with a 7 p.m. (CDT) match Thursday against Henderson State University. Pitt State will battle Midwestern State University at 9 a.m. and Colorado Christian University at 6 p.m. Friday, before wrapping up with a fourth match Saturday at 4:30 p.m. against the host school.
 
The Gorilla Scoop

• Jen Gomez is in her ninth season leading the Gorillas. She has a 95-135 overall record at PSU while leading the program into four of the last five MIAA Tournaments.
• Kennedy Shelstead is in her first season on the sidelines at Pittsburg State as an assistant coach, with graduate assistant Hannah Delor beginning her second season helping mentor the Gorillas.
• Pitt State is 3-1 on the season after hosting the Gorilla Classic last weekend at John Lance Arena. The Gorillas posted wins over Arkansas Tech, Western Colorado and Southwest Baptist.
• Statistical leaders from last week were Vix Vilott with 44.5 points (3.71 per set) and 38 kills (3.17 per set); Rylee Martin with 78 assists (6.50 per set); Josie McCroskey with 49 digs (4.08 per set); and Carly Clennan with 16 total blocks (1.33 per set).

 
The Opposition

• Henderson State is 5-0 on the season to date. Statistical leaders are Kaitlyn Steffes with 53.5 points (3.34 per set) and 43 kills (2.69 per set); Madison Hatt with 76 assists (4.75 per set); Kaylon Partain with 67 digs (4.19 per set); and Cassidi Campbell with 16 total blocks (1.00 per set).

 

• Midwestern State is 3-1 heading into the tournament action. Statistical leaders are Demi Stauffenberg with 56.5 points (3.77 per set); Riley Rabedeadux and Stauffenberg with 49 kills (3.27 per set); Brooke Parker with 89 assists (7.42 per set); Jenna Redding with 62 digs (4.13 per set); and Gabrielle Oos with 17 total blocks (1.13 per set).

 

• Colorado Christian is 2-2 overall after competing in the Golden Eagle Classic last week. Statistical leaders are Abby Breeding with 42.5 points (3.27 per set) and 39 kills (3.00 per set); Izzy Jones with 135 assists (9.64 per set); Shelby Hernandez with 61 digs (4.36 per set); and Lilly Woods with 17 total blocks (1.31 per set).

 

• Texas Woman's posted a 1-2 mark in its season-opening action at the Tampa Volleyball Classic last week. Statistical leaders are Tori Woods with 50.0 points (3.85 per set) and 45 kills (3.46 per set); Grace Reynolds with 65 assists (5.00 per set); Luna França with 56 digs (4.31 per set); and Cora Pool with 12 total blocks (0.92 per set).