Panthers Upset No. 22 Michigan in Five Set Match

Saturday, September 10

Pittsburgh, Pa.

7:00 PM

Pitt

7-2

Michigan

8-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Michigan	22	25	26	25	12	2
Pitt	25	23	28	20	15	3

Panthers Upset No. 22 Michigan in Five Set Match

9/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

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Sept. 11, 2016

PITTSBURGH - In a thrilling five-set match, the University of Pittsburgh volleyball team defeated No. 22 Michigan 3-2 in its final game of the Panther Invitational at the Fitzgerald Field House.

With the win, the Panthers [7-2] defeated their second ranked team of the season (No. 25 Colorado State, 3-2, 9/3/16) and handed the Wolverines [8-1] their first loss of the year.

"This was probably one of the biggest wins in program history," said head coach Dan Fisher. "This is a great moment for these girls. I am super proud of how we competed and I think this team is growing and is fun to watch."

Pitt had some top-notch performances this evening as three players recorded double-doubles including redshirt freshman and tournament MVP Stephanie Williams who posted a double-double with a team-leading 21 kills and 13 digs. This match marked the standout's third game with 20 or more kills and her fifth game recording double-digit kills.

In addition to Williams, redshirt senior Jenna Potts dominated at the net posting a team-high nine blocks, while adding six kills. With her nine blocks tonight and 18 total this weekend, Potts became the Panthers' new career record holder in block assists with 414.

Two other Pitt players joined Williams with double-doubles including sophomore setter Kamalani Akeo who posted a career-high 54 assists and 17 digs, while junior Mariah Bell tallied 14 kills and 11 digs.

In the back row, redshirt sophomore Angela Seman finished with 26 digs, the most out of all of the Panthers.

Set One: Pitt 25, Michigan 22

The Panthers defeated the Wolverines in the opening set 25-22. This was the first time Michigan ever trailed in a set.

Pitt opened the match trailing 6-2 in set one following five straight points by Michigan.

Down the line, the Panthers worked their way back and tied the game 13-13 following three straight points, including a Nika Markovic kill and two errors by the Wolverines.

Pitt led for just the third time in the set at 17-16 and held remained ahead, forcing a Michigan timeout after back to back Pitt kills by Williams and Bell. This gave the Panthers a 20-19 lead.

Following the break, the Wolverines tied Pitt and then exchanged back and forth points but the Panthers hit set point 24-21.

Michigan fought off a single set point but couldn't hold off Pitt who went on to take the first set 25-22 on a kill by freshman Layne Van Buskirk.

Set Two: Pitt 23, Michigan 25

The Panthers led most of the time in set two, but the Wolverines outplayed Pitt in the end to tie the match 1-1.

After trailing 4-2 in the opening points, the Panthers came from behind and outscored Michigan 9-2 to take an 11-6 lead. Six of the Pitt's nine points during that run came from Wolverine errors.

The Panthers remained steadily ahead of Michigan through the midpoint of the set, leading 17-12. Errors continued to haunt the Wolverines, while Pitt's defense was on point.

Michigan's offense began to pick up, scoring three consecutive to pull back within two of Pitt, 17-15, prompting a timeout call by the Panthers.

Out of the timeout, an attack error by Pitt brought the score to 17-16 but the Panthers would redeem themselves with two points to make it 19-16.

Following a break by the Wolverines, Michigan would return to outscore Pitt 9-3 in the final points and take set two 25-23.

Set Three: Pitt 28, Michigan 26

In a set that went into extra points, the Wolverines overcame a five point deficit to tie the Panthers three times late in the set but the home team persevered and came away with a 28-26 win.

Pitt bounced back to open the third set, as it forced Michigan to take an early timeout after leading by double, 12-6.

Just four points later, the Wolverines call its second timeout as three consecutive points by Pitt would make it 15-7.

Following its second timeout, Michigan outscored the Panthers 9-2 and trailed by a lone point 17-16.

Pitt remained out in front and earned set point 24-21, however Fisher called a timeout as the Wolverines fought off two potential winning points.

Michigan continued to put points on the board, tying the game at 24 before earning its first set point 25-24.

Pitt tied the game two more times before earning set point 27-26, in which a Williams' kill concluded the set and put the Panthers ahead 2-1.

Set Four: Pitt 20, Michigan 25
Pitt struggled towards the midpoint of the fourth set which saw the Panthers down by four. In an attempt to fight back, Pitt pulled within two but couldn't catch the Wolverines who tied the game 2-2 with a 25-20 fourth set win.
The Panther's momentum continued into the fourth set, earning a 4-1 lead but theirs didn't last long as Michigan turned around to move ahead 8-6.
The Panthers tied the set 9-9 but the Wolverines did not allow Pitt out in front as a 6-2 run would allow Michigan to regain a 15-11 lead.
A fighting Panthers squad worked its way back within two but took a timeout as the Wolverines went ahead 18-14.
Michigan followed Pitt's timeout call with one of its own. The Panthers trailed by just two points however the Wolverines regrouped and scored four of the next five points to lead 23-18.
Pitt called its final timeout to try and stop Michigan but was unsuccessful in its attempt as Carly Skjodt would rack up the Wolverines final two kills.

Set Five: Pitt 15, Michigan 12
In a thrilling fifth set, the Panthers came from behind to defeat the Wolverines 15-12.
Michigan took a quick 4-1 lead in the final set but a Markovic kill and a Wolverine error brought Pitt back within one, 4-3.
The Panthers remained within a point of Michigan but the Wolverines gained momentum and went ahead 8-5.
Three straight Pitt points, including a Van Buskirk kill and Seman kill, tied the game 8-8.
While Michigan would earn a 12-9 advantage and prompt back to back timeout calls by the Panthers, Pitt would score two out of the break to trail just by a long point 12-11.
With the Wolverines on their toes after calling a timeout, the Panthers put together four straight points to defeat Michigan. Pitt ended the match on two kills by Williams and a Bell service ace.

Panther Invitational All-Tournament Team
Pitt
#13 - Williams (MVP)
#14 - Potts
#16 - Seman

Michigan
#10 - Jenna Lerg
#9 - MacKenzi Welsh

Coastal
#10 - Leah Hardeman
#6 - Sara Boothe

American
#1 - Aleksandra Kazala

Up Next
Pitt will host the Panther Challenge Sept. 16-17 at the Fitzgerald Field House. The Panthers will welcome Lehigh, Robert Morris and Western Kentucky.

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