No. 13 Pitt to Face Strong Slate in Panther Invitational

Friday, September 7

Pittsburgh, Pa.

10:30 AM EST

Pitt

Kennesaw State

Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics

No. 13 Pitt to Face Strong Slate in Panther Invitational

9/6/2018 5:19:00 PM | Volleyball

Match Notes Tournament Central

Panthers Meet Dayton, Kennesaw State and No. 12 Washington

PITTSBURGH – The No. 13 University of Pittsburgh volleyball team will host a slate of tough opponents this weekend in the Panther Invitational, as the squad welcomes Dayton, Kennesaw State and No. 12 Washington to the Fitzgerald Field House Sept. 7-8.

THE SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 7
- 10:30 a.m. • No. 13 Pitt vs. Kennesaw State
- 1 p.m. • No. 12 Washington at Dayton
- 7 p.m. • No. 13 Pitt vs. Dayton

Saturday, Sept. 8
- 11 a.m. • Dayton at Kennesaw State
- 2 p.m. • No. 13 Pitt vs. No. 12 Washington
- 7 p.m. • Kennesaw State at No. 12 Washington

HOW TO FOLLOW

Pitt's three matches 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.

PROMOTIONS

Friday, Sept. 7 | 10:30 a.m.
- Staff and faculty appreciation day
- Post-match autograph session
Friday, Sept. 7 | 7 p.m.
- Season Ticket Holders: Pre-Match Chalk Talk – 6:30 p.m.
- Students: Enter to Win Pitt Football vs. Penn State Sideline Passes
  - Students must arrive before first serve to enter to win
  - Entries will not be accepted once the match has started
  - 50 names will be drawn at the end of the match
  - Students must be able to present ID to win
- Post-match autograph session
Saturday, Sept. 8 | 2 p.m.
- Championship Weekend
  - 2017 ACC Championship Team Ring Ceremony
  - Alumni Recognition
- Post-match autograph session

LAST TIME OUT

Pitt continued its success at the Seton Hall Classic last weekend, as the Panthers went 3-0 to remain undefeated on the season. Pitt took down Oklahoma, Seton Hall and VCU.
In its opening match, the Panthers faced the Sooners. Despite dropping the opening set 25-16, the Pitt finished on top in the final three frames 25-19, 25-21, 25-22 to earn the victory.
Against the host Pirates, the Panthers were solid offensively, posting 50 kills in the match, while holding Seton Hall to just 32. Pitt swept the Pirates 25-20, 25-18, 25-21.
In the final match, the Panthers dominated VCU, who the squad last played in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, sweeping the Rams 25-16, 25-20, 25-11. Pitt's defense played a huge role in the victory, holding VCU to a .036 clip, and out-dug the Rams 40-21.
Three Panthers were named to the Seton Hall Classic Tournament Team in sophomore Kayla Lund and juniors Nika Markovic and Layne Van Buskirk.

PITT IN THE POLLS

Pitt continues to rise in the AVCA Weekly Coaches Poll, moving up one spot to No. 13 in week two of the season. This marks the program's 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 OPERATION

Pitt's offense has reached new heights in 2018, being tabbed one of the best in the nation.
The Panthers currently sit in the top 10 in three different statistical categories, including hitting percentage (.315, second), kills per set (15.00, seventh) and assists per set (14.20, eighth).
All three of those marks lead the ACC.

LEADING LUND

Sophomore Kayla Lund is picking up right where she left off in 2018 after a successful debut season that saw her earn AVCA East Coast Region Freshman of the Year.
Lund is Pitt's top offensive performer in just her second season with the team, putting up unreal numbers in just the first two weekends, including five doubles and one 20-kill performance.
She leads the squad with 4.10 kills per set, which ranks second in the ACC, while her total number of kills (82) ranks fourth.
She has earned tournament honors following both the Panther Challenge and Seton Hall Classic, including being named the MVP of the Panther Challenge.

SCOUTING DAYTON

The Flyers enter the weekend with a 5-2 record after defeating Miami University, 3-1, in a midweek matchup.
Senior Lauren Bruns, who boasts 4.19 kills per set, leads Dayton's offense. The mark ranks second in the A-10.
Defensively, senior Kendyll Brown is the Flyers' top blocker with 1.28 blocks per set.
Dayton, who returned 10 players from a 2017 team that went 23-8, ranks first in the A-10 in kills per set (13.81) and hitting percentage (.269)

THE SERIES – DAYTON

The Panthers and Flyers will meet for the ninth time in program history, with the series currently tied 4-4.
Pitt will look for its first win at home against Dayton. The Panthers are currently 0-3 against the Flyers on their home court.

SCOUTING KENNESAW STATE

Kennesaw State is off to its best start in program history following a 3-1 victory over Clemson Tuesday evening, boasting a 6-0 record to start the season.
Senior Liesl Engelbrecht and sophomore Lauren Chastang are the Owls' top attackers. Engelbrecht owns a team-leading .339 hitting percentage, while Chastang owns 84 kills.
Kennesaw State leads the ASUN with 47 aces, which also ranks 20^th in the nation.

THE SERIES – KENNESAW STATE

Pitt and the Owls will meet for just the second time in program history.
The two teams last met in 2016 with the Panthers coming out on top 3-0.

SCOUTING NO. 12 WASHINGTON

Sitting one spot ahead of Pitt in the polls, No. 12 Washington enters the weekend with a 3-1 record, coming off their lone loss to Illinois.
The Huskies graduated seven seniors from a team that made the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
Kara Bajema leads the squad with 4.53 kills per set, which ranks third in the Pac-12, while Lauren Sanders boasts a team-leading .384 attack percentage.

THE SERIES – NO. 12 WASHINGTON

Pitt and Washington will square off for just the third time in program history.
The Huskies have swept the Panthers in both meeting.

UP NEXT

Pitt will close out tournament play at the Coastal Carolina Classic Sept. 14-15. The Panthers will take on College of Charleston and the host Chanticleers.

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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