PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt volleyball will host a first-and-second round NCAA Volleyball tournament regional and host as long as they keep winning until the Final Four.
The Panthers finished the season 25-4 and 16-2 in the ACC, co-champions of the league with Florida State. The Panthers four losses were all to nationally ranked teams-BYU, Oregon, Louisville and the Seminoles. It’s the second time in three years the Panthers earned a top seed and eighth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Pitt hosts 27-4 Coppin State in the first round Friday at 7p at the Petersen Events Center. The winner will advance to face the winner of the 18-12 USC against 17-7 UMBC matchup at 4:30p on Friday.
A pair of freshmen lead the Panthers in kills-Olivia Babcock (349) and Torrey Stafford (310), Rachel Fairbanks does a little bit of everything with 748 assists, 53 kills and 152 digs. Seniors Valeria Vazquez Gomez (206 kills, 28 aces and 173 digs), Chiamaka Nwokolo (88 blocks, 128 kills) and transfer Emma Monks (140 blocks, 165 kills) bring veteran leadership with Emmy Klika leading the team with 297 digs (3.09 per set) and 100 assists.