PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University women's volleyball team will begin a three-game match week against the Newman University Jets at home in the annual Pink Game.
 
First serve from the John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday (Oct. 7) against the Jets.
 
The Gorillas will also host the University of Central Missouri on Friday (Oct. 10) at 5:00 p.m. before ending the week with a trip to Joplin, Mo. On Saturday (Oct. 11) to play the Missouri Southern State University Lions at 3:00 p.m. at Robert Ellis Young Gym.
 
Last week, Pittsburg State went 0-2 with a three-set loss against No. 10 Washburn and a five-set setback against (RV) Emporia State.
 
Under the direction of Megan Besecker, the Gorillas are 7-7 overall and 1-3 in the MIAA. For her career, she owns a 65-17 overall record.
 
As a team, the Gorillas rank third in Division II for blocks per set at 2.83 and seventh for total blocks with 150. Pitt State also ranks in the Top-50 nationally for digs per set (49th) with 16.8.
 
Leading the team in points (162.0, 3.06) and kills (141, 2.66), Maliyah Johnson is also hitting .233. Anna Dean is the team leader for total blocks (72, 1.41) and hitting percentage at .283. Jesa Wallace has dished out 350 assists (6.60) as the primary orchestrator of the offense. Josie McCroskey has accumulated a team-high 261 digs (4.92) while Vix Vilott is the team leader for service aces with 23 (0.44).
 
Ranking in the Top-25 among Division II ranks, Anna Dean is ninth in blocks per set and 16th for total blocks. Josie McCroskey is 34th in digs per set and 36th for digs accumulated.
 
Newman are 2-13 overall and 0-4 in the MIAA. In the series history, the Gorillas have a 21-4 advantage and have won eight straight over the Jets.
 
Leading the team in points (161.5, 3.17) and kills (133, 2.61) Isabella Lamb also leads the team with 34 total blocks (0.67). Madalyn Hoot is the team leader with 431 assists (8.29) with Brooklyn Lane leading the team with 195 digs (3.75).
 
No. 24 Central Missouri will begin the week with an 11-3 overall record, going 3-1 in the MIAA. In series history, the Jennies have a 73-7-1 advantage over the Gorillas, going 8-2 in the last 10 matches.
 
Emma Siron leads the team with 181.5 points (3.49) with 151 kills (2.90). Kayla Baer is the orchestrator of the offense with 540 assists (10.38). Grace Winelmann is the team leader in digs with 254 (4.88) and Rachel Ziesman leads the team with 52.0 total blocks (1.04).
 
Missouri Southern begins the week with a 6-9 overall, 0-4 MIAA record. In series history, the Lions hold a 76-42 lead, with the last 10 matches being split 5-5 between the two teams.
 
Alana Moesch is the team leader for points (219.5, 3.92) and kills (188, 3.36). Hannah Allick (280, 5.00) and Mataiya Barber (153, 4.25) split setting duties. Tori Hamilton leads the team 205 digs (3.66) and Hanna Lauterbach leads the team with 33 total blocks (0.59).