The Pittsburg State University volleyball team kicks off its 2026 season in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the Eckerd Classic. They will face Wilmington (Del.) on Thursday, August 27, followed by matches against the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez and North Greenville on Friday. Aiming to improve on last year's 14-15 record, the Gorillas are led by head coach Megan Besecker, who has a strong background and returns 10 players, adding 12 newcomers to the roster.

By the Numbers
  • Pittsburg State’s 2025 record: 14-15.
  • Wilmington's 2025 record: 19-14, with 11-4 in conference play.
  • North Greenville's record: 17-14, going 12-8 in conference play.
  • Eckerd's final 2025 record: 19-13, 9-11 in conference action.
Yes, But

While Pittsburg State is optimistic with the returning roster, its seventh-place preseason ranking in the MIAA raises questions about their competitiveness against stronger programs who had better finishes last season.

State of Play
  • Pittsburg State seeks to build on their first postseason win since 2022.
  • The Gorillas have a diverse roster, mixing experienced players with newcomers.
What's Next

The team's performance at the Eckerd Classic will set the tone for the season, with opportunities to gauge competition level early on against established teams in their first matchups.

Bottom Line

Pittsburg State's volleyball team must capitalize on early-season matches to establish momentum and prove their potential to rise above their preseason ranking by leveraging their experienced returning players and strategic play.