PITTSBURG, KS -- The Pitt State Gorillas' impressive start to the 2026 season came to an abrupt halt on Thursday night as they faced a tough defeat against Southwestern Oklahoma State. The Gorillas, who had won their first five matches, were unable to maintain their momentum and were swept on their home court.
The match began with the Bulldogs establishing dominance, limiting Pitt State to just 17 points in the opening set, marking their lowest scoring output of the evening. The Gorillas struggled to find their rhythm early on, which set the tone for the match.
Despite their initial setbacks, the Gorillas showed resilience as the match progressed. They improved their performance in the following sets, particularly in the third, where they pushed the Bulldogs to the brink. The set featured several lead changes and intense rallies, but Southwestern Oklahoma ultimately triumphed, winning the final set 29-27.
Leading the charge for Pitt State was fifth-year player Maddi LaPointe, who recorded 12 kills throughout the match. However, she was outshined by the Bulldogs' Jenna Houk, who delivered an impressive performance with 16 kills, contributing significantly to her team's victory.
Looking ahead, the Gorillas are eager to bounce back from this defeat. They will have an opportunity to do so on the final day of the Gorilla Classic, where they are set to host Arkansas Tech at 2 p.m. and William Jewell at 7 p.m. This upcoming doubleheader will be crucial for Pitt State as they aim to regain their winning form and build momentum as the season progresses.
As the Gorillas reflect on this match, they will need to address the areas of concern that led to their first loss of the season. With the competitive landscape of college volleyball, every match is vital, and Pitt State will be looking to make adjustments to ensure they can return to their winning ways.
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