PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University women's volleyball team will continue its road swing with trips to Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri.
 
First serve on Friday (Oct. 17) against Missouri Western at the MWSU Fieldhouse is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT). On Saturday (Oct. 18) against Northwest Missouri, first serve from Bearcat Arena is set for 6:00 p.m.
 
Last week, Pittsburg State went 1-2 with a sweep over Newman on the annual Pink Game before losing in four sets to No. 24 Central Missouri and suffered a five set loss to Missouri Southern in Joplin.
 
Under the direction of Megan Besecker, the Gorillas are 8-9 overall and 2-5 in the MIAA. Currently, the Gorillas are tied for eighth in the conference standings heading into the weekend. For her career, Besecker has a 66-19 record.
 
As a team, the Gorillas rank second in Division II for blocks per set at 2.83 and fourth for total blocks with 184.
 
Anna Dean leads the team with 208.5 points (3.36), 90 total blocks (1.45) and .293 hitting percentage. Maliyah Johnson with 158 kills (2.59), Vix Vilott with 146 (2.28) and Dean with 139 (2.24) are the three most prolific attackers on the team. Jesa Wallace is the conductor of the offense with 467 assists (7.18) and Josie McCroskey is the team leader in digs with 317 (4.88).
 
Missouri Western is receiving votes in the latest AVCA Poll while holding a 13-5 overall record and 5-2 in MIAA matches to be tied for fifth in the conference standings. At home this season, MWSU is 2-1 with a five set loss to No. 3 Nebraska – Kearney (Oct. 3), with sweeps over Fort Hays State (Oct. 4) and Northwest Missouri (Oct. 14).
 
In the series history, the Griffons hold a 66-27-1 advantage with a five set win earlier this season on Sept. 5.
 
Emma Salker leads the team with 226.5 points (3.43) and 74 total blocks (1.12) with Taylor Russell the team leader with 193 kills (2.97). Katelyn Diani-O'Day (383, 6.08) and Hayley Barsky (347, 5.78) split setting duties. Anna Weberg is the team leader for digs with 343 (5.20).
 
Northwest Missouri enters the weekend with a 6-10 overall record and is 0-7 in the MIAA to sit in 11^th in the league standings. So far this season NWMSU is 0-2 at home, being swept by Fort Hays State (Oct. 3) and losing in four sets to No. 3 Nebraska – Kearney (Oct. 4).
 
In the series history, the Bearcats are 43-27-1 with a win in nine of the last 10 matches.
 
Kasidy Mohwinkle is the team leader for points (186.0, 3.38) and kills (167, 3.04). Ella Caffery conducts the offense with 561 assists (9.84). Karsen VanScoy leads the team with 227 digs (3.98) and Natalie Herrington with 34 total blocks (0.79) is the team leader.