PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – After falling in the first two matches of the season, Pitt women’s volleyball looked like one of the top teams in the nation Monday night sweeping seventh-ranked Arizona State at the State Farm Women’s College Volleyball Showcase at PPG Paints Arena.
The Panthers had lost its first two matches this season, a four-setter at number one Nebraska and in five sets against 16th ranked Florida last weekend. It looked like it would be a struggle early against ASU trailing 5-0 and 7-2 in the first set, but great work at the net and more balanced scoring led to a 3-0 win (25-21, 25-18, 25-16).
“I thought they kicked our ass,” said Arizona State head coach JJ Van Niel. “That was tough.”
“I thought we were really good in a lot of areas tonight, I think we are growing as a team,” said Pitt head coach Dan Fisher.
For the first time this season, All-American Olivia Babcock did not lead the Panthers in kills, rather it was junior Blaire Bayless led with nine, part of a balanced attack as Bayless also had a career-high with five blocks.
“Hopefully its her getting back to being herself. In the preseason, she was our top outside offensively,” Fisher said. “It didn’t really happen the first weekend. You can see how much better of a team when we have two left sides that can kill the ball and we don’t have to rely on Liv.”
Bre Kelley led Pitt with seven blocks. Brooke Mosher had 21 assists and game-high four aces. Freshman Dagmar Mourits had six kills.
“I think the more we practice, the more we’ve grown as a unit,” said Pitt senior transfer Emery Dupes. “Obviously we have a lot of new players, so it’s just finding the right pieces that work really well together. I think we showed that tonight, that we can be that team and just keep getting better.”
Panthers play a first match at the Fitzgerald Field House this season Friday at 7p against Pepperdine and home Sunday to Jacksonville at 1p.