Pittsburg, Kan. – After having won at least two sets in every match thus far, the Maryville volleyball team suffered a 28-26, 25-20, 25-13 loss to Pittsburg State in the first match of the Pitt State Classic.
 
How it Happened
The Saints scored the first three points of the contest to grab the early lead. After a Brinkmann kill, PSU had an error for an 8-3 margin. Emma Hoing and a Gorilla error handed the Saints an 11-5 lead. The hosts scored five straight to mount a comeback and took their first lead at 13-12. Down 14-13, Maryville roared back on top with six unanswered points. Brinkmann's kill started the spree, and a PSU error handed the Saints a 19-14 advantage. Maryville stayed ahead and had a number of set points. However, PSU saved them all and eventually capped the rally to sneak out set one.
 
Pitt State scored four of the first five points in set two before Ellie Witthaus had a kill to pull the Saints within three. PSU ran off another 5-0 to push out its lead. Maryville used a 4-0 burst to close the gap, and five unanswered points pull the Saints back to 23-18. Maryville pulled to within four points but PSU held on for the win. However, in the third set the Saints registered their lowest hitting percentage of the match while PSU had its best of the night to close out the contest.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann and Ellie Witthaus - 8
Hitting Percentage: Leslie Longanbach - .385
Assists: Taylor Reynolds - 18
Service Aces: Leslie Longanbach - 2
Digs: Ella Brinkmann - 10
Blocks: Leslie Longanbach and Hailey Levinson - 3
 
Records
Maryville: 1-4
Pittsburg State: 4-1
 
What's Next?
The Saints contest two more matches at the Pitt State Classic as they take on No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State and Southern Nazarene Saturday.