Volleyball Outlasted in Five-Set Slugfest

Box Score | Season Stats

PITTSBURG, Kan. - - In a back-and-forth battle between the Truman and Pittsburg State volleyball squads on the final night of the 2011 regular season, it was the PSU Gorillas that came out with a 3-2 (-19, -19, 23-25, 22-25, 16-14) heart-pounding victory in John Lance Arena.

Junior Megan Sharpe was essentially flawless offensively, hitting .474 with 18 kills and no errors to go along with two block assists. Freshman Allie Brak added 13 kills and 14 digs for a double-double, while junior Lauren Radix came off the bench to put away 12 kills and hit .370.

Truman (20-14, 9-9 MIAA) fell behind 2-0 on the night after a pair of blistering first pair of sets for the host Gorillas (9-22, 6-12 MIAA), but rebounded in the third and fourth to force a deciding fifth frame. After falling behind 12-8, Truman scored five of the next six to tie the match at 13-apiece. A Bulldog service error gave PSU match point, but Brak held the Gorillas off temporarily with a kill to tie the match at 14-all. However, back-to-back kills by PSU gave the Gorillas the necessary two-point margin and a 16-14 final victory in the set.

Pitt State put forth a stout defensive effort, recording 99 digs to Truman's 75, despite the 'Dogs out-blocking the home team 7-6. The Bulldogs hit .227 on the night, but PSU connected at a .290 clip.

Junior Emily Briseno added nine kills for Truman, and junior Heather Hargadine hit .304 with eight kills. Freshman Meghan Zimmerman logged 30 assists and a pair of aces, while fellow freshman Abby Moser led the purple and white with 22 digs. She wrapped up the regular season with 699 total digs and a 5.34 digs/set average – both single-season program records.

PSU was led by Morgan Voorhes' 19 kills and 25 digs.

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