PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will begin the 2025 season at home, hosting the Gorilla Classic at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court, Friday (Sept. 5^th) and Saturday (Sept. 6^th).
 
Single day tickets at $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Pitt State is scheduled to play in four matches over the two-day tournament. The Gorillas open the season with an 11:30 a.m. (CDT) match against Lubbock Christian, Friday and end the day with a 7 p.m. match against Missouri Western. On Saturday, Pitt State will battle Southern Arkansas at 2 p.m. and close out the weekend action with a 7 p.m. match against Truman State.

The Gorilla Scoop

• Megan Besecker enters her first season leading the Gorillas. She has a 58-10 overall record as a head coach.
• Erin Pavlin and Remi Vargas enter their first season on the sidelines at Pittsburg State as assistant coaches.
• In 2024, PSU went 10-16 overall and 5-11 in MIAA play.
• 11 letter winners are back from 2024 with four getting the start in 10 or more matches. The top return from a season ago is the two-time All-MIAA libero/defensive specialist Josie McCroskey.
• Returning statistical leaders include Vix Vilott with 291.0 points (3.13 per set) and 235 kills (2.53 per set); Jesa Wallace with 454 assists (5.68 per set), McCroskey with 479 digs (5.15 per set); and Anna Dean with 94 total blocks (1.02 per set).
• The Gorillas were picked to finish ninth in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Opposition

• Lubbock Christian finished with a 13-14 overall record in 2024, going 9-7 in the Lone Star Conference (LSC). Picked to finish eighth in the LSC Preseason Poll, LCU is led by Lily Bickley, Jade Workman and Abby Benitez. Bickley is the top statistical returner for points (414.0) and kills (335). Benitez recorded 268 digs last season with Workman contributing 78 kills and 18 total blocks.

• Missouri Western ended last season with a trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the first time since 2017, going 23-8 overall and 12-4 in the MIAA. The Girffons were picked to finish fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. Holly Heldt is the leading statistical returner in points (392.5), Taylor Russell had 333 kills, Anna Weberg finished with 571 digs and Lily Kurz collected 144 total blocks.

• Southern Arkansas finished 12-12 overall and 6-10 in the Great American Conference (GAC). Picked to finish 11^th in the GAC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Muleriders return All-GAC selection Sadie Kabisch and nine others from a season ago. Kabisch led the team with 533 digs (6.42 per set).

• Truman State wrapped up the 2024 season with a 6-22 overall record, going 3-10 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Picked to finish 11^th in the GLVC Preseason Poll, the Bulldogs will lean on Michaela Goad as the top statistical returner for points (342.5) and kills (295). Addy Janssen lead the team with 319 digs and Makayla Way finished with 101 total blocks to lead the team.