Gorillas use big start, blocks to defeat Emporia State

It may be ranked as one of the biggest wins for the Pittsburg State volleyball team.
But, head coach Ibraheem Suberu is just taking things in stride after the 21st-ranked Gorillas defeated No. 10 Emporia State 3-1 (25-15, 16-25, 25-12, 25-23) in the first round of the South Central Regional tournament at Central Missouri State.
“We are humbled to get the win,” Suberu said in his usual calm manner.
In the process of picking up just their second post-season win in six tries, senior Pamela Cartagena set the PSU career mark for kills after getting 12 for the match.
“I am really excited that we won this game,” Cartagena, the new MIAA Player of the Year, said. “We practiced the whole week specificially for this game.”
But, when asked which was more exciting, the record or the win, the answer from Cartagena was quick and to the point.
“The win ... definitely,” Cartegena said.
The Gorillas (25-10) came out like gangbusters in the first set, hitting .545 as a team as they built up an 8-2 lead on the backs of kills from Brooke Fay, Corrinne Stringer and Cartagena.
But, in the second set, the Gorillas seemed to have a letdown as Emporia State (29-6) limited Pitt State to just 10 kills while hitting a .450 clip themselves.
“It was kind of out of character for us in the second set,” Suberu said. “We got out of rhythm and Emporia State was able to capitalize. They really put the heat on us.”
In his usual demeanor, Suberu calmed his troops prior to the third set and reminded them of their training over the course of the season.
Especially blocking.
The Gorillas came out in the third set and shut down Emporia State’s leading hitter Arica Shepard.
“We really worked on wide-spreading and watching our hitters,” Stringer, who had five blocks herself on the night, said. “We really had to turn our hands in and keep them wide.”
Stringer also led the Gorillas with 15 kills as Fay knocked down 12 to go along with Cartagena’s 12.
For the match, the Gorillas had 11 team blocks to Emporia State’s four. They were also helped by the Hornets’ 25 attack errors for the match.
Shepard led all players with 19 kills and also added 18 digs for a double-double. Brittney Miller was the only other Hornet recording double figure kills with 18. Amy Byfield led all players with 26 digs.
The win over Emporia State also helped the Gorillas erase the middle of their season where they were forced to win 10 of their last 11 matches to make the tournament field.
“We really came together as a team and we knew that if we didn’t win a match it would affect us getting in so we came out with a fight,” Stringer said. “It was really great to see that happen and we really pushed each other to the limit.”
It also constitutes a huge win for the Gorilla volleyball program, who had not recorded a postseason volleyball win since beating North Alabama in 2004.
“Knowing that we’ve been close in the past, for our seniors and our new team members to make this step, it is a big thing,” Suberu said. “I am very happy for our team members that they have made this season.”