University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
12-4, 2-2
Virginia
10-4, 2-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitt | 27 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 1 |
| Virginia | 25 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 3 |
Pitt Drops Heartbreaker on the Road at Virginia
10/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- In a heartbreaking battle, the University of Pittsburgh volleyball team fell to Virginia, 3-1, Friday evening at Memorial Gymnasium to move to 12-4 overall on the season and 2-2 in ACC play.
After coming back from a nine-point deficit in the first set to win 27-25, the Panthers fell to the Cavaliers 21-25, 25-27 and 26-28 respectively to drop their second straight conference match.
Overall, Pitt had a higher hitting percentage (.195/.155), more digs (64/61) and a higher amount of blocks (17/15) than UVA but let up 15 service aces.
Graduate transfer Kadi Kullerkann completed her sixth game straight with double-digit kills, knocking down 16 against Virginia. This marks Kullerkann's 14th game this season with ten-plus kills. Senior Amanda Orchard led the team with a .500 hitting percentage for the second consecutive match, which makes for her 11th with an average of .400 or better.
Jenna Jacobson picked up her third double-double of the season, putting up 25 assists and 10 digs. At the net, redshirt junior, Jenna Potts put up 9 total blocks inclduing two solo.
Pitt got off to a 1-0 lead in the match after coming back from a nine-point deficit to win in extra points, 27-25. While the Panthers led in the early points of the first set, an eight point run by Virginia propelled UVA to a 15-11 lead. Pitt didn't lose a step though and answered with six straight of its own to earn the first set point, 24-21. From then, the two teams combined for five more set points until an attack error by Virginia and a kill by Mariah Bell ended the set.
With momentum on their side, the Panthers worked their way out to a 14-5 lead in set two after scoring eight consecutive points. However, the Cavaliers outscored Pitt, 14-3, to make a comeback and pull ahead to lead 19-17. The Panthers came back within a point four more times, but were unable to catch UVA to fall, 25-21.
Tied 1-1 overall in the match, Pitt and Virginia returned from intermission and battled. The score remained close throughout the set, which included 18 ties and 11 lead changes. Neither team led by more than two points. The set was up for grabs as the Panthers and Cavaliers were tied at 25, but UVA put away two final points to win, 27-25 and take a 2-1 advantage.
Pitt fought in the final set of the match, but once again fell in extra points, 26-27. Pitt rallied in the early portion of the set to tie the game after trailing UVA and eventually pulled ahead, 18-15, following a kill by junior Maria Genitsaridi and a block by sophomore Mariah Bell. UVA knotted up the game at 18 but Pitt fought to get to 24 points first and earn set point. The Cavaliers outlasted the Panthers through three set points and in the end came from behind to win, 27-26.
Up Next
The Panthers will continue on the road next weekend when they head to Syracuse and Boston College. Pitt will take on the Orange at 7 p.m. on Oct. 9 and finish off the weekend against the Eagles at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, which will be broadcast live on ESPN3/RSN.
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