PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will return to John Lance Arena to host the PSU Regional Challenge.
 
The three-day, 10-game tournament will begin with a single 7 p.m. match on Thursday (Sept. 19). Friday's action will include a full slate of five matches beginning at 9 a.m., while Saturday's schedule will include four matches beginning at 9 a.m.
 
Single day admission on Friday and Saturday is $10 for adults and $5 for students. There will be no charge for Thursday's tournament-opening match between Emporia State University and the University of Illinois-Springfield.
 
The Gorillas are scheduled to take the court Friday at 7 p.m. against Illinois Springfield; and Pitt State will battle Harding University at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

For a full tournament schedule, click here.
 
The Gorilla Scoop

• Jen Gomez is in her ninth season leading the Gorillas. She has a 96-138 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 4-4 in the young season. The Gorillas posted a 1-3 mark at the Denton Volleyfest hosted by Texas Woman's University last weekend. Pitt State opened the season with a 3-1 record in its home Gorilla Classic Sept. 6-7.
• Statistical leaders for the season are Vix Vilott with 101.0 points (3.74 per set) and 83 kills (3.07 per set); Jesa Wallace with 137 assists (6.85 per set); Josie McCroskey with 133 digs (4.93 per set); with Carly Clennan and Anna Dean tying for the team lead with 25 total blocks (0.93 per set).

 
The Opposition

• Illinois Springfield is 7-1 on the season to date. Statistical leaders are Makenna Cox with 132.5 points (5.10 per set) and 120 kills (4.62 per set); Erica Sledge with 259 assists (9.96 per set); Eirini Glynou with 81 digs (3.12 per set); and Kendall Johnson with 19 total blocks (0.73 per set).

 

• Harding is 5-4 heading into tournament action. Statistical leaders are Skyler McKinnon with 114.5 points (3.69 per set) and 110 kills (3.55 per set); Olivia Wiedower with 336 assists (10.18 per set); Tatum Fouche with 157 digs (4.76 per set); and Ashley Lamkin with 31 total blocks (1.03 per set).