PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will partake in the Bettye Wallace Invitational, hosted by Henderson State at the Duke Wells Center this weekend.
 
To begin the two-day tournament, the Gorillas will face the Quincy Hawks on Friday (Sept. 19) at 11:00 a.m. (CT). Saturday (Sept. 20), Pitt State will go against the Drury Panthers at 3:30 p.m. and hosts Henderson State at 7:30 p.m. to close out the weekend tournament.
 
Last week, Pittsburg State went 2-1 with three-set victories over Maryville and Southern Nazarene. Josie McCroskey, Vix Vilott and Kassidy Nixon were named to the All-Tournament team.
 
Under the direction of Megan Besecker, the Gorillas are 5-2 on the season after the first two weekends of the season and for her career, she owns a 63-12 overall record.
 
Statistical Leaders (Per Set)
Points: 91.0 (3.64) – Vix Vilott
Kills: 75 (2.88) – Maliyah Johnson
Hitting Percentage (Min. 100 Attempts): .282 – Maliyah Johnson
Assists: 164 (6.31) – Jesa Wallace
Service Aces: 14 (0.56) – Vix Vilott
Digs: 133 (5.12) – Josie McCroskey
Total Blocks: 38 (1.46) – Anna Dean
 
Quincy enters the week with a 5-2 record, going 2-2 at the Maverick Invite last weekend in Mankato, Minn. The Hawks were picked to finish second in the GLVC Preseason Poll, going 25-6 overall and 11-2 in the GLVC on their way to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Susanna Beretti is the team leader in points (106), kills (87) and digs (76), as Elena Kasavica is the conductor of the offense with 251 assists (10.46). Erin Matzke is the team leader with 18 blocks (0.78) on the season so far.

Drury begins the weekend with a 6-2 record after leaving the Drury Invitational last weekend with four wins. The Panthers were picked to finish ninth in the GLVC Preseason Poll after going 14-13 overall and 4-9 in the GLVC last season. Mailie Chretien leads the Panthers with 83.5 points (3.21) and 73 kills (2.81). Lauren Tyler (139) and Jacy Bray (130) split setting duties. Mary Henry is the team leader with 75 digs (2.59) and Phoebe Riddle with 29 total blocks (1.04) round out the statistical leaders.
 
Henderson State enters the tournament with a 4-5 record after losing to Arkansas Tech on Tuesday. Picked to finish sixth in the GAC Preseason Poll, the Reddies finished 2024 with a 15-15 overall record and 6-10 in the GAC. Katilyn Steffes is the team leader in points (147.0) and kills (132) as Tyhia Mack (171) and Jessie Jerome (111) split setting duties. Kaylon Partain leads the team with 190 digs (5.59) and Cassidi Campbell with 37 total blocks (1.09) is the top statistical blocker.