PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt head coach Dan Fisher wants to challenge his teams and give them the best opportunities to host regionals with a top 10 strength of schedule. After playing at number 1 Nebraska and 16th ranked Florida, it’s two more ranked opponents Sunday and Monday, this time at PPG Paints Arena.
Fisher said he is excited to have the opportunity to play downtown and looking forward to having the fans on their side. This after dropping both of those matches 3-1 to the Cornhuskers and 3-2 to Florida.
“Sorted out a few things this week in practice, we feel good about our chances going into this weekend to get a couple of Top 25 wins,” Fisher said.
Beyond some of the basics including getting more than just All-American Olivia Babcock involved, it has been an emphasis in finishing. Four times the Panthers led late or were tied only to drop the set
· 1st set vs Nebraska up 21-20, lost 25-22
· 4th set vs Nebraska tied 23-23, lost 25-23
· 4th set vs Florida up 24-23, had match point and lost 26-24
· 5th set vs Florida up 13-12, lost 15-13
Beyond Babcock, there are a few contributing players from the team that rose to the number one ranking-MB Bre Kelley, OH Blaire Bayless, MB Ryla Jones, but it’s the most turnover in the roster in years.
“We are not a young team, but we are a new team,” Fisher said. “I think we will be better the next time we get in a tight match.”
They go from fifth-year setter, Illinois transfer Brooke Mosher to 17-year-old setter/libero Izzy Masten, who graduated from high school a year early to challenge herself. She hit the first serve of the Panthers season.
“It was the craziest moment of my life,” Mosher said. “It was so surreal. Everything I was working up to, it paid off, but I’m not done yet.”
Playing at home starts Sunday at 2p against #25 TCU and Monday against 13th ranked Arizona State at 7:30p at PPG Paints Arena.
“It’s super-exciting,” Mosher said. “I’ve never really even got to experience a lot of hockey games in my life. Just to be able to go into a hockey arena for the first time in my life is kind of crazy for me. I know there is a great crowd that is going to show up.”