PITTSBURGH – The AVCA announced this afternoon that the Panthers begin their season at No. 4 in the preseason poll. This marks back-to-back seasons Pitt has been in the top five in the preseason poll and the fourth straight year the Panthers have started in the top ten.
Pitt looks to build upon its third straight NCAA Semifinal appearance as it returns five starters and five All-Americans. The 2023 ACC Setter of the Year and AVCA First Team All-American Rachel Fairbanks heads into her senior season ready to pace the Panther offense. Olivia Babcock, the program’s first rookie to notch AVCA Freshman of the Year and First Team All-American honors, returns alongside her sophomore counterpart Torrey Stafford, a 2023 Third Team All-American. Sixth year Valeria Vazquez Gomez and senior Emmy Klika, both achieving All-American success in 2022 and 2023, respectively, look to cap off their careers on a high note.
Redshirt junior Bre Kelley is back after an injury early last season, which sidelined her for the remainder of the year. Kelley was named to the 2023 Preseason All-ACC Team and looks to have a breakout season.
Blaire Bayless, Cat Flood and Dillyn Griffin are prepared to make a difference this year alongside newcomers Ryla Jones, Bianca Garibaldi, Dalia Vîrlan, Mallorie Meyer, Kiana Dinn and senior Texas A&M setter, Nisa Buzlutepe.
The Panthers will play 15 matches against 2023 NCAA Tournament participants, including two teams that advanced to the Sweet 16 (Penn State and Georgia Tech) and three Elite Eight teams (Louisville, Oregon and Stanford). Seven of the ten non-conference matches are against teams that advanced to the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
The Panthers open their season on Aug. 30 at 10:30 p.m. EST in Eugene, Ore. as they play No. 10 Oregon in the season opener. Pitt will wrap up the weekend taking on Long Beach State on Aug. 31 in Mathew Knight Arena at 7 p.m. EST.
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