Pitt Hosts Virginia in Midweek ACC Matchup

PITTSBURGH – The No. 8 Pitt volleyball team (16-3, 7-1 ACC) host Virginia (8-10, 1-7 ACC) at the Fitzgerald Field House on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for a midweek ACC matchup. The match will be streamed on ACC Network.

The Panthers lead the all-time series against Virginia, 17-3. Pitt is on a 10-match winning streak against the Cavaliers, most recently defeating them 3-1 in Memorial Gym. Rachel Fairbanks recorded 21 assists and five digs while Chiamaka Nwokolo added a team-high five blocks in the match. 

LUCK ON OUR SIDE

• Pitt defeated Notre Dame 3-0 in South Bend on Sunday afternoon. Torrey Stafford led the team in kills and digs with 12 and seven, respectively. 

• Monks and Nwokolo combined for 14 kills and 11 blocks on the day. 

MONKS SHINES ON OFFENSIVE END

• Not only does Emma Monks impress defensively, but she is currently fourth in the nation in hitting efficiency (.455)

• She recorded 11 kills on a .563 hitting percentage against No. 11 Georgia Tech. 

BLOCK PARTY

• The Pitt Panthers are currently second in the nation in blocks per set (3.16).

• Chiamaka Nwokolo, Rachel Jepsen, Olivia Babcock and Emma Monks have all registered at least six blocks in a match so far this season.

• Emma Monks is currently seventh in the nation in blocks per set (1.59).

• Monks recorded seven blocks against Georgia Tech while Nwokolo tied a career high with eight blocks against North Carolina in a 3-0 sweep. 

FAIRBANKS RUNS THE SHOW

• Junior Rachel Fairbanks was named Co-ACC Setter of the Week on Oct. 9 after notching 83 assists, 14 digs and four aces against the Yellow Jackets and Tigers. 

• She averaged 10.38 assists per set and led the Panthers to a team .288 hitting percentage. 

FRESHMAN PHENOMS

• Torrey Stafford and Olivia Babcock have combined for five ACC Freshman of the Week

honors.

• Most recently, Babcock earned the honor after notching 35 kills, 18 blocks and six aces last weekend.

• The two lead the team on the offensive end with Babcock averaging 3.32 kills per set and Stafford with 3.16. 

GRITTY PANTHERS

• The Panther block and back court defense have been impressive, as Pitt is currently second in the nation in opponent hitting percentage (.127) 

• Klika paces Pitt with 3.55…