PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University volleyball team is set to begin conference action this weekend against Emporia State University at home.
 
First serve from John Lance Arena against ESU on Friday (Sept. 18) is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT).
 
All-time against Emporia State the Gorillas are 32-78 overall and 18-25 in Pittsburg.
 
Last week, Pittsburg State went 4-0 in the MIAA/GAC Crossover in Oklahoma with wins over East Central (3-0), Southern Nazarene (3-1), No. 24 Oklahoma Baptist (3-2) and Ouachita Baptist (3-0).
 
As a team the Gorillas are hitting .276 (21^st in DII/2^nd in MIAA) compared to opponents hitting .131 (34^th/4^th) with 140 total blocks (1^st/1^st), for a 3.18 per set average (1^st/1^st).
 
For the season, Crystal Smith leads the team with 173.0 points (30^th/3^rd) with a team-high 72 total blocks (1^st/1^st) (1.80) (1^st/1^st) and 123 kills (3.08) (.450)(6^th/1^st). Maddi LaPointe leads the team with 131 kills (2.98) (.302) and is second on the team for points (155.5, 3.53) and total blocks (46, 1.05) (19^th/5^th). Vix Vilott rounds out the members of the team with over 100 kills so far this season at 101 (2.35). Jesa Wallace (286, 6.50) and Brynna Zoeller (192, 4.68) split setting duties for the Gorillas. Kassidy Nixon (169, 4.02), Mason Palace (123, 2.93) and Wallace (97, 2.20) are the leading performers in digs. Smith, LaPointe, Kennedy Behnke (36, 0.95) and Palace (32, 0.76) are the leaders for total blocks so far this season.
 
No. 18 Emporia State University Hornets
The Hornets enter the weekend at 12-1 on the season with a 10-game winning streak. Picked to finish fourth in the MIAA Preseason Poll after going 21-7 overall and 12-4 in the MIAA, ESU is led by fourth-year head coach Ken Murczek.
 
Lavra Krizanic is the reigning MIAA Offensive Player of the Week and for the season leads the team with 171.5 points (3.99) from 148 kills (3.44), hitting .267 and is second on the team with 144 digs (3.35). Piper Bahr is second on the team with 125.0 points (3.38) and 115 kills (3.11) while hitting .207. Brailee Bogle (325, 7.22) and Delainee Dexter (160, 3.56) have split setting duties so far this season. Miyu Tsurumaki leads the team with 207 digs (4.60), while Brooklynn Weaver is the team leader with 30 total blocks (0.68).