PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University women's volleyball team is set to hit the road and play against No. 7 Central Oklahoma and Arkansas – Fort Smith this weekend.
Against UCO, first serve from the Hamilton Field House on Friday (Nov. 7) is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT). On Saturday (Nov. 8) the Gorillas and Lions of UAFS will battle at Gayle Kaundart Arena at 1:00 p.m.
Last week the Gorillas went 1-1 with a four-set win over Fort Hays State (Nov. 1) and was swept by No. 4 Nebraska – Kearney (Oct. 31) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.
Under the direction of
Megan Besecker, the Gorillas are 11-12 overall and 4-8 in the MIAA this season. For her career, Besecker has a 69-22 record.
Currently tied for seventh in the conference standings with Fort Hays State, the Gorillas have matches against UCO (22-3, 8-3 MIAA), UAFS (13-12, 3-9 MIAA), Missouri Southern (9-14, 3-8 MIAA) and Central Missouri (16-6, 8-4 MIAA) remaining on the schedule.
As a team, the Gorillas lead Division II for blocks per set at 3.03 and total blocks with 261. Among MIAA ranks, PSU leads the conference for blocks per set, total blocks, fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.162) and digs (1,441) while being fifth for digs per set (16.76).
Anna Dean leads the MIAA and is fifth in Division II for blocks per set with 1.48, she also ranks second in the league and eighth in DII for total blocks with 123. Dean is also the team leader for points (274.5, 3.31) and hitting percentage at .302 (184 K – 55 E – 427 TA).
Don'Yah Cosie ranks third in the MIAA and 13
th in DII for blocks per set (1.32) and her 90 total blocks are the fourth most in the league.
Maliyah Johnson leads the team with 202 kills (2.59) followed closely by
Vix Vilott with 201 kills (2.36).
Jesa Wallace (619, 7.20) and
Abby Carr (291, 4.22) split setting duties.
Josie McCroskey leads the team with 442 digs (5.14) to rank third in the MIAA and 27
th in DII for total digs.
No. 7 Central Oklahoma will begin the weekend with a 23-3 overall record going 9-3 in the MIAA to rank fifth in the league standings.
This season at home, UCO is 9-2 with losses against Central Missouri (Oct. 4) and Missouri Western (Oct. 11). In the series history, UCO holds a 29-9 advantage over Pitt State and have claimed five straight matches against the Gorillas.
Mikiah Perdue leads the team with 304.5 points (3.54), 254 kills (2.95) and 75 total blocks (0.87). Lindsey Houran is the conductor of the offense with 965 assists (11.63) and Kaitlyn Parrott leads the team with 504 digs (5.86).
Arkansas – Fort Smith enters the weekend with a 13-12 overall record while going 3-9 in the MIAA to sit in 10
th in the league standings.
This season at home, UAFS is 3-3 with wins over Missouri Southern (Oct. 4), Northwest Missouri (Oct. 11) and Arkansas – Monticello (Oct. 14). In series history, PSU leads the series with a 4-1 advantage over the Lions. This will be the second match in series history in Fort Smith, Ark.
Lydia Pitts leads the team with 312.0 points (3.35) and 261 kills (2.81). Scarlette Young (539, 5.80) and Trinity Funderburk (343, 3.77) split setting duties. Abbey Jackson leads the team with 350 digs (3.80) and Crystal Smith leads the conference with 126 total blocks (1.35).
