University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Earns First AVCA National Ranking Since 1992
8/8/2018 3:34:00 PM | Volleyball
Panthers Come in at No. 20 in the Preseason Coaches Poll
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh volleyball team received its first national ranking in 26 years, sitting at No. 20 in the 2018 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I Top 25 Preseason Poll Wednesday afternoon.
Pitt garners the ranking after a successful 2017 season in which the Panthers won their first ACC Championship and reached the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. The last time Pitt was ranked was 26 years ago in 1992. The Panthers began that season at No. 25 after concluding 1991 as Big East Regular Season and Tournament Champions.
"It's a real privilege to see others having expectations of you," said head coach Dan Fisher. "We know that we return a lot of talented players. While we feel that we've earned it, in terms of our past, this is a new year. We will continue to work hard and remain focused on our goals.
"We're ready to get the 2018 season underway and hope this creates some buzz for the program. We look forward to having Panther fans at the Fitzgerald Field House this weekend and throughout the season."
2018 marks just the fourth year in program history that the school has earned a spot in the AVCA Top 25 Poll, with the only other years ranging from 1990-92. The highest ranking the team received was in 1990, when the Panthers were tabbed 17th in the nation. Pitt finished 32-6 that season and was crowned Big East Champions.
The Panthers enter the season ahead of Iowa State (21), Michigan State (22), Purdue (23), Cal Poly (24) and Colorado State (25), while Stanford enters as No. 1 overall team. Pitt is the lone team from the ACC to be ranked. Louisville, Florida State and Miami are receiving votes.
The Panthers open the 2018 season Friday, Aug. 24 as they welcome Butler, No. 24 Cal Poly and Pepperdine to the Fitzgerald Field House for the Panther Challenge, the first of two home tournaments. Prior to the regular season getting under way, Pitt will host its annual Blue-Gold Scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 11. The event is open to the public and admission is free.
2018 AVCA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll
# School (First-Place Votes)
1. Stanford (43)
2. Nebraska (20)
3. Texas
4. Minnesota
5. Kentucky
6. Penn State
7. Florida (1)
8. BYU
9. Wisconsin
10. Southern California
11. UCLA
12. Illinois
13. Creighton
14. San Diego
15. Colorado
16. Baylor
17. Washington
18. Oregon
19. Utah
20. Pittsburgh
21. Iowa State
22. Michigan State
23. Purdue
24. Cal Poly
25. Colorado State
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Pitt garners the ranking after a successful 2017 season in which the Panthers won their first ACC Championship and reached the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. The last time Pitt was ranked was 26 years ago in 1992. The Panthers began that season at No. 25 after concluding 1991 as Big East Regular Season and Tournament Champions.
"It's a real privilege to see others having expectations of you," said head coach Dan Fisher. "We know that we return a lot of talented players. While we feel that we've earned it, in terms of our past, this is a new year. We will continue to work hard and remain focused on our goals.
"We're ready to get the 2018 season underway and hope this creates some buzz for the program. We look forward to having Panther fans at the Fitzgerald Field House this weekend and throughout the season."
2018 marks just the fourth year in program history that the school has earned a spot in the AVCA Top 25 Poll, with the only other years ranging from 1990-92. The highest ranking the team received was in 1990, when the Panthers were tabbed 17th in the nation. Pitt finished 32-6 that season and was crowned Big East Champions.
The Panthers enter the season ahead of Iowa State (21), Michigan State (22), Purdue (23), Cal Poly (24) and Colorado State (25), while Stanford enters as No. 1 overall team. Pitt is the lone team from the ACC to be ranked. Louisville, Florida State and Miami are receiving votes.
The Panthers open the 2018 season Friday, Aug. 24 as they welcome Butler, No. 24 Cal Poly and Pepperdine to the Fitzgerald Field House for the Panther Challenge, the first of two home tournaments. Prior to the regular season getting under way, Pitt will host its annual Blue-Gold Scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 11. The event is open to the public and admission is free.
2018 AVCA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll
# School (First-Place Votes)
1. Stanford (43)
2. Nebraska (20)
3. Texas
4. Minnesota
5. Kentucky
6. Penn State
7. Florida (1)
8. BYU
9. Wisconsin
10. Southern California
11. UCLA
12. Illinois
13. Creighton
14. San Diego
15. Colorado
16. Baylor
17. Washington
18. Oregon
19. Utah
20. Pittsburgh
21. Iowa State
22. Michigan State
23. Purdue
24. Cal Poly
25. Colorado State
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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