PITTSBURGH – The No. 7 Pitt volleyball team (13-2, 4-0 ACC) is back at the Fitzgerald Field House this weekend. The Panthers take on No. 11 Georgia Tech (13-1, 4-0 ACC) in a top-15 matchup on Friday night at 7 p.m. before playing Clemson (10-6, 1-3 ACC) on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will be available for viewing on ACCNX.
The Panthers hold a 13-2 series lead against Georgia Tech and have won the last three matches against the Yellow Jackets. The last time out, Pitt came back from down 2-1 to win in five sets, clinching the victory in a 19-17 fifth set barn burner. Valeria Vazquez Gomez recorded a career-high 22 kills along with 14 digs and three aces in the match.
Pitt leads the series against Clemson, 12-1, and have won 12 straight matches against the Tigers. The last four outings have been won in 3-0 fashion.
BLOCK PARTY
• The Pitt Panthers are currently first in the nation in blocks per set (3.27).
• 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 third in the nation in block per set (1.59).
• Nwokolo tied a career high with eight blocks against North Carolina in a 3-0 sweep.
GOING BACK-TO-BACK
• Torrey Stafford was named ACC Freshman of the Week for the second time on Sept. 25.
• She averaged 5.17 kills per set, 5.42 points per set and 1.67 digs per set against Duke and North Carolina.
GRITTY PANTHERS
• The Panther block and back court defense have been impressive, as Pitt is currently first in the nation in opponent hitting percentage (.116)
• Klika paces Pitt with 3.55 digs per set and eight Panthers average at least one dig a set.
STAFFORD SHINES
• Freshman Torrey Stafford was named ACC Freshman of the Week (9/18/23) for the first time after her impressive performance in the Panther Challenge.
• Stafford registered 32 kills, 14 digs, eight blocks and six aces during the three day span.
PANTHERS CLAIM ACC HONORS
• Olivia Babcock earned back-to-back ACC Freshman of the Week honors after registering 21 kills, eight blocks against Marquette and Loyola Chicago.
• Emma Monks was named ACC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time after recording 13 kills, 12 blocks and…
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