PITTSBURGH – The No. 1 overall seed Pitt volleyball team (31-1, 19-1 ACC) is set to host the Regional Semifinals and Finals this weekend at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers play No. 14 Oregon on Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., and with a win will play the victor of the No. 11 Kentucky/No. 25 Missouri match for a spot in the NCAA Semifinals. All three matches are set to stream on ESPN 2.
Pitt leads Oregon in the overall series 3-1 and most recently defeated the Ducks in the season opener in August. Torrey Stafford had a match-high 13 kills and added five digs and an ace while hitting .300 in the sweep. The Ducks are 24-7 overall and compiled a 14-6 record in their first season in the Big Ten. Junior All-American outside hitter Mimi Colyer leads the Ducks offensively and earned AVCA National Freshman of the Year honors in 2022. Oregon advanced to the Regional Final last season, eventually losing to Wisconsin in four sets.
With a win, the Panthers will play either Kentucky or Missouri on Saturday evening. Pitt is 5-3 against Kentucky and went 2-0 against the Wildcats last season. Kentucky claimed the SEC regular season championship this year and is led by SEC Player of the Year Brooklyn DeLeye. The Wildcats are 22-7 overall and went 14-2 in conference play.
Missouri upset No. 2 seed SMU in the Round of 32 last weekend to advance to the Regional Semifinal for the first time since 2017. The Tigers notched a 22-8 overall and 11-5 SEC record. Missouri leads the series 2-1 against Pitt and most recently defeated the Panthers in 2016.
ALL-REGION NODS
• All seven starters were named to the AVCA East Coast Region Team for the second straight year.
• Olivia Babcock was dubbed the AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year for the first time in her career. Rachel Fairbanks earned the award last season.
• Dan Fisher was named the AVCA East Coast Region Coach of the Year for the third time in his career after leading Pitt to a 31-1 overall and 19-1 ACC record.
OUTRIGHT ACC CHAMPS!
• The Pitt Panthers are the 2024 outright ACC Champions for the third time in program history and sixth overall.
• This is the third consecutive ACC Championship for Pitt.
• The win over No. 3 Louisville secured a share of the title, and…
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