No. 9 Pitt to Open ACC Volleyball Play Versus Virginia

Wednesday, September 19

Pittsburgh, Pa.

7 PM EST

Pitt

Virginia

Tickets

Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics

No. 9 Pitt to Open ACC Volleyball Play Versus Virginia

9/18/2018 7:56:00 PM | Volleyball

Watch Live Stats Match Notes

2017 ACC Co-Champion Panthers Looking to Defend Title

PITTSBURGH – The No. 9 University of Pittsburgh volleyball team (11-0, 0-0) will open ACC play at Fitzgerald Field House Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Virginia (4-6, 0-0).

HOW TO FOLLOW

Pitt's match can be seen live on ACC Network Extra via WatchESPN.
Live stats will be available via PittsburghPanthers.com.
Fans can follow along with live updates on Twitter @Pitt_VB.

LAST TIME OUT

The No. 9 Panthers remain unbeaten at 11-0 following a 2-0 weekend at home, defeating Charleston and High Point.
Pitt hosted the Pitt Invite following a schedule change due to Hurricane Florence, inviting Charleston, High Point and Liberty to compete at Fitzgerald Field House. The Panthers were originally scheduled to play at the Coastal Carolina Classic, which was cancelled due to the inclement weather.
Sophomore outside hitter Kayla Lund led the No. 9 Panthers in kills for the fifth and sixth consecutive matches, recording a career-high 23 against Charleston (Sept. 14) and following with 14 against High Point (Sept. 15). She tied a career high with four service aces against High Point (Sept. 15), with aces on set point in the first frame and match point in the fourth. She neared double-doubles in both matches, posting eight digs against Charleston and nine against High Point. She led Pitt with 4.62 kills per set and 0.62 aces per set for the weekend, and was second on the squad with 2.12 digs per set.

PITT IN THE POLLS

Pitt holds steady at No. 9 in this week's edition of the AVCA Coaches Poll. This marks the Panthers' highest national ranking in program history.
The Panthers' top ranking prior to the 2018 season came in 1990 when the squad was No. 17.

OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

Pitt's offense has reached new heights in 2018, being tabbed one of the best in the nation.
The Panthers currently lead the nation in hitting percentage (.317) and are fourth in assists per set (13.98). Both of those marks lead the ACC. Pitt also leads the conference in kills per set (14.73), ranking sixth in the nation.

LEADING LUND

Sophomore Kayla Lund continues her strong 2018 season, earning the Panther Invitational MVP and two ACC Player of the Week honors.
Lund is Pitt's top offensive performer in just her second season with the team, recording double-digit kills in every match, including six double-doubles and two 20-kill performances.
She paces the Panthers with 4.18 kills per set, which ranks second in the ACC, while leading the league in points per set (4.75).
She has earned all-tournament honors for the Panther Challenge, Seton Hall Classic, and Panther Invitational. She received Tournament MVP for both the Panther Challenge and Panther Invitational.

SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS

Virginia's matchup with No. 9 Pitt marks its first action in eight days after Hurricane Florence forced the cancellation of the VCU Invitational.
The match also marks the beginning of ACC action for the Cavaliers.
The Panthers are the second ranked foe for Virginia this season after the Cavaliers fell, 3-1, to No. 21 Iowa State on opening weekend.
One week after setting a career high with 21 kills in a victory over Northern Kentucky, sophomore Sarah Billiard blew past that mark with 25 kills in the Cavaliers' victory over George Mason. The outside hit .417, averaging better than six kills per set in the match.
Despite having the entire weekend of matches cancelled, Billiard stillranks third in the ACC with 166 kills and a 4.05 kills per set average. The 4.05 k/s rank 50th in the nation.

THE SERIES – VIRGINIA

Pitt and Virginia will meet for the 16th time Wednesday, with the Panthers winning the last five meetings. Pitt has not lost to Virginia since Oct. 2, 2015.
The Panthers are 5-0 all-time in ACC-openers, with all matches played at home.

UP NEXT

Pitt will make its first ACC road trip to Virginia Tech for a 6 p.m. match Friday in Blacksburg, Va. The contest will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra, available via the WatchESPN app.

2018 PITT VOLLEYBALL TICKETS

Flex season ticket packages as well as single-match and group tickets for the 2018 volleyball season are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Panthers' Ticket Office at (800) 643-PITT (7488) or online at PittsburghPanthers.com.

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