PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will host the Gorilla Classic, beginning on Wednesday (Sept. 2^nd) at John Lance Arena.
 
Pitt State is scheduled to play in four matches over three days, beginning with Truman State at 7:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday (Sept. 2^nd). Thursday (Sept. 3^rd) the Gorillas will play against Southwestern Oklahoma at 7:00 p.m., before ending the tournament on Friday (Sept. 4^th) with matches against Arkansas Tech at 2:00 p.m., and William Jewell at 7:00 p.m.
 
Single day tickets for adults will be $10 with students aged 5-17 being $5.
 
Pittsburg State is coming off a 4-0 opening weekend at the Eckerd Classic in St. Petersburg, Fla., with the Gorillas claiming three matches in four sets and one in sweeping fashion.
 
As a team, the Gorillas are hitting .299 (21^st in DII) compared to .127 for opponents (38^th ) and are coming away with 2.93 blocks per set (2^nd) and 14.0 kills (27^th) to opponents 1.20 blocks and 11.67 kills a set.
 
Maddi LaPointe leads the team with 57.0 points (3.80 per set) and 48 kills (3.20) while hitting .385 from 109 attempts. Crystal Smith is the team leader for hitting percentage among qualified hitters at .431 with 35 kills in 65 attempts. Smith leads the team with 20 total blocks for 1.33 per set and seven service aces. Jesa Wallace (94, 6.27) and Brynna Zoeller (74, 5.29) have split setting duties so far for PSU. Kassidy Nixon (68, 4.53), Alexis Bittner (38, 2.71) and Mason Palace (37, 2.47) are the leading performers for digs.
 
Arkansas Tech University
Picked to finish fifth in the Great American Conference Preseason Poll (Aug. 18) after going 15-12 overall and 11-5 in conference play. At the Washburn Invitational last weekend the Golden Suns went 2-2 to begin the season.

Erika Hernandez is the team leader with 51.0 points (3.19) from a team-high 43 kills (2.69). Kenzie Garrett (88, 5.50) and Briazia Osborne (58, 4.14) split setting duties. Karis Brinlee leads the team with 57 digs (3.80), while Hernandez, Henley Hooks and Karlly Dillard are tied for the team lead with 11 total blocks.
 
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Picked fourth in the GAC Preseason Poll (Aug. 18) after going 16-15 overall and 12-4 in conference. The Bulldogs began the season at the Western Colorado Invitational where they went 2-2 to begin the season.

Jenna Houk leads the team with 52.5 points (3.50) from 50 kills (3.33). Mackenzie Sims has dished out 141 assists (9.40) so far. Jada Permenter has a team-high 56 digs (3.73) and Sydnee Winfrey has a team leading 14 total blocks (0.93).
 
Truman State University
Picked seventh in Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Poll (Aug. 27) after finishing last season with a 12-17 overall record, 7-6 in conference action. At the Fort Hays State Tournament last weekend the Bulldogs went 1-3.

Laci Neece leads the team with 51.5 points (3.22) from 49 kills (3.06). Tori Creason so far has dished out 134 assists (8.38). Addy Janssen is the team leader with 72 digs (4.50) and Autumn Erickson has a team-high with 21 total blocks (1.31).
 
William Jewell College
Picked to finish 14^th in the GLVC Preseason Poll (Aug. 27) after going 4-23 overall and 0-13 in conference play. The Cardinals began the season 1-3 at the Washburn Invitational last weekend.

Macy Barlett leads the team with 37.0 points (2.47) from 32 kills (2.13). Alexis Frazier (50, 3.33) and Melanie Gardner (39, 2.79) have split setting duties so far this season. Madison Roney leads the team with 57 digs (3.80) and Emily Brannan with nine total blocks (0.69) leads the team.