University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt’s Kayla Lund Named ACC Volleyball Player of the Year
12/2/2019 4:01:00 PM | Volleyball
Six Panthers Earn All-ACC Nods
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Junior outside hitter Kayla Lund of the 2019 ACC Champion Pitt volleyball team (29-1, 18-0) has been named the conference's Player of the Year, as announced Monday.
"In a year of so many firsts for our program, Kayla [Lund] becoming our first ACC Player of the Year is a tremendous honor," head coach Dan Fisher said. "Her leadership and work ethic set a standard for our team and it was no surprise to me that she earned this title. I am proud of her and look forward to watching her perform as we enter the NCAA Tournament Friday at home."
Lund is the first in program history to earn the honor. The Pasadena, Calif., native is one of six Panthers to earn 2019 All-ACC honors, the most in a single season since Pitt joined the league in 2013.
"To have six honored as All-ACC selections is a testament to how well-rounded this team is," Fisher said. "Our depth has been our strength this year and these awards demonstrate that fact. Congratulations to all."
Three from Pitt landed on the All-ACC first team, including Lund, junior right side hitter Chinaza Ndee and senior middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk. The first-team honors are the second for Lund, first for Ndee and second for Van Buskirk. For the second consecutive season, Van Buskirk was a unanimous first-team selection.
Three earned All-ACC second team honors, including freshman setter Lexis Akeo, redshirt senior libero Hali Hillegas and redshirt senior outside hitter Stephanie Williams. Williams becomes the first Pitt volleyball student-athlete to earn All-ACC honors in each of her four seasons.
Akeo also earned a nod to the ACC All-Freshman squad, becoming the first Panther since Lund and Ndee received the accolades in 2017.
The sixth-seeded Panthers will meet the Howard Bison in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Volleyball Championship Friday at 7 p.m. ET at Petersen Events Center. To purchase tickets, visit PittsburghPanthers.com or call the Panthers' Ticket Office at 800-643-7488.
LUND 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
2019 ACC Player of the Year … Second consecutive All-ACC first team honors … Leads the Panthers with 3.59 kills per set this season, ranking fourth in the ACC … Team-best eight double-doubles … Team-best two matches with 20 kills or more … One of just two in the ACC to rank in the league's top 10 for both kills and service aces per set … Tied a career high with 23 kills against No. 3 Penn State (Sept. 22) … Picked up a career-best 21 digs at Pepperdine (Sept. 14) … Hit a career-best .818 with nine kills on 11 attempts and zero errors against Green Bay (Sept. 7) … Led the Panthers in kills in 18 matches … Second on the squad with 2.73 digs and 0.31 service aces per frame … Team captain for the Panthers … Two-time ACC Player of the Week (Sept. 3, Sept. 9) … ChampYinz Invitational MVP (Sept. 7) … Panther Challenge MVP (Aug. 31) … Preseason All-ACC selection (Aug. 9).
NDEE 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
First All-ACC first team honors of career … Second on the squad with 2.86 kills per set on .293 hitting … Ranks second for Pitt with 1.02 blocks per frame … Moved into the program's top 10 all-time for both career block assists and career total blocks … Recorded two double-doubles … Led the Panthers in kills in eight matches … Paced the team in blocks in 10 matches … Posted a career-high 22 kills at Pepperdine (Sept. 14) … Contributed a career-best 11 blocks at Boston College (Oct. 13) … Two-time ACC Player of the Week (Sept. 23, Oct. 7).
VAN BUSKIRK 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Second consecutive All-ACC first team unanimous selection … Leads the Panthers with a .375 hitting percentage, ranking fourth in the ACC … Fourth on the squad with 2.55 kills per set … Moved into Pitt's top five all-time for both career block assists and career total blocks … ACC Player of the Week (Sept. 16) ... ChampYinz Invitational All-Tournament Team … Preseason All-ACC selection (Aug. 9).
AKEO 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
All-ACC second team and All-ACC Freshman team selection … Program-record eight-time ACC Freshman of the Week … Primary setter for the Panthers with a team-best 10.47 assists per set this season, ranking fourth in the ACC … Added 1.88 digs and 0.26 service aces per frame … Led the Panthers in assists in all 30 matches this season … Recorded five double-doubles, each with assists and digs … Posted a season-high 58 assists against Cal Poly (Sept. 13).
HILLEGAS 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
All-ACC second team selection … First honor at Pitt after transferring from Iowa State for her senior season … Leads the ACC with 4.31 digs per set this season … Paced the Panthers in digs at 26 matches … Recorded a season-high 26 digs in the regular-season finale against Louisville (Nov. 27) … ChampYinz Invitational All-Tournament Team (Sept. 7).
WILLIAMS 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Program's first four-time All-ACC selection … ACC's only four-time selection in 2019 … First All-ACC second team honor … Became one of just three Panthers in program history to record more than 1,300 kills and 1,000 digs in a career … Moved into the program's top five all-time for career kills … Ranks in the program's top 10 in career attempts and career service aces … Second on the team with seven double-doubles … Third on the team with 2.72 kills per set … Led the Panthers with .35 service aces per set, ranking fourth in the ACC … Picked up a career-high 23 digs against Georgia Tech (Nov. 8) … Panther Challenge All-Tournament Team (Aug. 31) … Preseason All-ACC selection (Aug. 9).
2019 ACC VOLLEYBALL HONORS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kayla Lund, Jr., OH, Pitt
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Taryn Knuth, Jr., MB, Florida State
SETTER OF THE YEAR: Matti McKissock, So., S, Georgia Tech
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Julia Bergmann, OH, Georgia Tech
COACH OF THE YEAR: Michelle Collier, Georgia Tech
FIRST TEAM ALL-ACC
Payton Caffrey^**, Sr., OH, Florida State
Taryn Knuth***, Jr., MB, Florida State
Julia Bergmann, Fr., OH, Georgia Tech
Mariana Brambilla**, So., OH, Georgia Tech
Kodie Comby^, Sr., MB, Georgia Tech
Matti McKissock, So., S, Georgia Tech
Aiko Jones, R-Fr., OPP, Louisville
Lauren Harrison, R-Fr., OH, North Carolina
Charley Niego**, So., OH, Notre Dame
Zoe Nunez**, So., S, Notre Dame
Kayla Lund***, Jr., OH, Pitt
Chinaza Ndee**, Jr., RS/MB, Pitt
Layne Van Buskirk^***, Sr., MB, Pitt
Polina Shemanova^**, So., OH, Syracuse
SECOND TEAM ALL-ACC
Amaka Chukwujekwu, Jr., MB, Boston College
Kaylin Korte**, Jr., OH, Clemson
Jasmyn Martin, Jr., OH, Florida State
Mikaila Dowd**, So., OH, Georgia Tech
Kayla Kaiser, So., MB, Georgia Tech
Anna Stevenson, Jr., MH, Louisville
Elizaveta Lukianova**, Jr. , OH , Miami
Melissa Evans***, Jr., OPP, NC State
Sydney Bent**, So., OH, Notre Dame
Caroline Meuth, Fr., OH, Notre Dame
Lexis Akeo, Fr., S, Pitt
Hali Hillegas, Sr., L, Pitt
Stephanie Williams****, Sr., OH, Pitt
Caitlyn Della**, Sr., MB, Wake Forest
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Emma Clothier, MB, Florida State
Julia Bergmann, OH, Georgia Tech
Amber Stivrins, OH, Louisville
Amaya Tillman, MB, Louisville
Savannah Vach, S, Miami
Parker Austin, OH, North Carolina
Skyy Howard, MB, North Carolina
Caroline Meuth, OH, Notre Dame
Lexis Akeo, S, Pitt
^ - denotes unanimous selection
* - denotes number of All-ACC honors in career
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"In a year of so many firsts for our program, Kayla [Lund] becoming our first ACC Player of the Year is a tremendous honor," head coach Dan Fisher said. "Her leadership and work ethic set a standard for our team and it was no surprise to me that she earned this title. I am proud of her and look forward to watching her perform as we enter the NCAA Tournament Friday at home."
Lund is the first in program history to earn the honor. The Pasadena, Calif., native is one of six Panthers to earn 2019 All-ACC honors, the most in a single season since Pitt joined the league in 2013.
"To have six honored as All-ACC selections is a testament to how well-rounded this team is," Fisher said. "Our depth has been our strength this year and these awards demonstrate that fact. Congratulations to all."
Three from Pitt landed on the All-ACC first team, including Lund, junior right side hitter Chinaza Ndee and senior middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk. The first-team honors are the second for Lund, first for Ndee and second for Van Buskirk. For the second consecutive season, Van Buskirk was a unanimous first-team selection.
Three earned All-ACC second team honors, including freshman setter Lexis Akeo, redshirt senior libero Hali Hillegas and redshirt senior outside hitter Stephanie Williams. Williams becomes the first Pitt volleyball student-athlete to earn All-ACC honors in each of her four seasons.
Akeo also earned a nod to the ACC All-Freshman squad, becoming the first Panther since Lund and Ndee received the accolades in 2017.
The sixth-seeded Panthers will meet the Howard Bison in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Volleyball Championship Friday at 7 p.m. ET at Petersen Events Center. To purchase tickets, visit PittsburghPanthers.com or call the Panthers' Ticket Office at 800-643-7488.
LUND 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
2019 ACC Player of the Year … Second consecutive All-ACC first team honors … Leads the Panthers with 3.59 kills per set this season, ranking fourth in the ACC … Team-best eight double-doubles … Team-best two matches with 20 kills or more … One of just two in the ACC to rank in the league's top 10 for both kills and service aces per set … Tied a career high with 23 kills against No. 3 Penn State (Sept. 22) … Picked up a career-best 21 digs at Pepperdine (Sept. 14) … Hit a career-best .818 with nine kills on 11 attempts and zero errors against Green Bay (Sept. 7) … Led the Panthers in kills in 18 matches … Second on the squad with 2.73 digs and 0.31 service aces per frame … Team captain for the Panthers … Two-time ACC Player of the Week (Sept. 3, Sept. 9) … ChampYinz Invitational MVP (Sept. 7) … Panther Challenge MVP (Aug. 31) … Preseason All-ACC selection (Aug. 9).
NDEE 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
First All-ACC first team honors of career … Second on the squad with 2.86 kills per set on .293 hitting … Ranks second for Pitt with 1.02 blocks per frame … Moved into the program's top 10 all-time for both career block assists and career total blocks … Recorded two double-doubles … Led the Panthers in kills in eight matches … Paced the team in blocks in 10 matches … Posted a career-high 22 kills at Pepperdine (Sept. 14) … Contributed a career-best 11 blocks at Boston College (Oct. 13) … Two-time ACC Player of the Week (Sept. 23, Oct. 7).
VAN BUSKIRK 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Second consecutive All-ACC first team unanimous selection … Leads the Panthers with a .375 hitting percentage, ranking fourth in the ACC … Fourth on the squad with 2.55 kills per set … Moved into Pitt's top five all-time for both career block assists and career total blocks … ACC Player of the Week (Sept. 16) ... ChampYinz Invitational All-Tournament Team … Preseason All-ACC selection (Aug. 9).
AKEO 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
All-ACC second team and All-ACC Freshman team selection … Program-record eight-time ACC Freshman of the Week … Primary setter for the Panthers with a team-best 10.47 assists per set this season, ranking fourth in the ACC … Added 1.88 digs and 0.26 service aces per frame … Led the Panthers in assists in all 30 matches this season … Recorded five double-doubles, each with assists and digs … Posted a season-high 58 assists against Cal Poly (Sept. 13).
HILLEGAS 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
All-ACC second team selection … First honor at Pitt after transferring from Iowa State for her senior season … Leads the ACC with 4.31 digs per set this season … Paced the Panthers in digs at 26 matches … Recorded a season-high 26 digs in the regular-season finale against Louisville (Nov. 27) … ChampYinz Invitational All-Tournament Team (Sept. 7).
WILLIAMS 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Program's first four-time All-ACC selection … ACC's only four-time selection in 2019 … First All-ACC second team honor … Became one of just three Panthers in program history to record more than 1,300 kills and 1,000 digs in a career … Moved into the program's top five all-time for career kills … Ranks in the program's top 10 in career attempts and career service aces … Second on the team with seven double-doubles … Third on the team with 2.72 kills per set … Led the Panthers with .35 service aces per set, ranking fourth in the ACC … Picked up a career-high 23 digs against Georgia Tech (Nov. 8) … Panther Challenge All-Tournament Team (Aug. 31) … Preseason All-ACC selection (Aug. 9).
2019 ACC VOLLEYBALL HONORS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kayla Lund, Jr., OH, Pitt
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Taryn Knuth, Jr., MB, Florida State
SETTER OF THE YEAR: Matti McKissock, So., S, Georgia Tech
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Julia Bergmann, OH, Georgia Tech
COACH OF THE YEAR: Michelle Collier, Georgia Tech
FIRST TEAM ALL-ACC
Payton Caffrey^**, Sr., OH, Florida State
Taryn Knuth***, Jr., MB, Florida State
Julia Bergmann, Fr., OH, Georgia Tech
Mariana Brambilla**, So., OH, Georgia Tech
Kodie Comby^, Sr., MB, Georgia Tech
Matti McKissock, So., S, Georgia Tech
Aiko Jones, R-Fr., OPP, Louisville
Lauren Harrison, R-Fr., OH, North Carolina
Charley Niego**, So., OH, Notre Dame
Zoe Nunez**, So., S, Notre Dame
Kayla Lund***, Jr., OH, Pitt
Chinaza Ndee**, Jr., RS/MB, Pitt
Layne Van Buskirk^***, Sr., MB, Pitt
Polina Shemanova^**, So., OH, Syracuse
SECOND TEAM ALL-ACC
Amaka Chukwujekwu, Jr., MB, Boston College
Kaylin Korte**, Jr., OH, Clemson
Jasmyn Martin, Jr., OH, Florida State
Mikaila Dowd**, So., OH, Georgia Tech
Kayla Kaiser, So., MB, Georgia Tech
Anna Stevenson, Jr., MH, Louisville
Elizaveta Lukianova**, Jr. , OH , Miami
Melissa Evans***, Jr., OPP, NC State
Sydney Bent**, So., OH, Notre Dame
Caroline Meuth, Fr., OH, Notre Dame
Lexis Akeo, Fr., S, Pitt
Hali Hillegas, Sr., L, Pitt
Stephanie Williams****, Sr., OH, Pitt
Caitlyn Della**, Sr., MB, Wake Forest
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Emma Clothier, MB, Florida State
Julia Bergmann, OH, Georgia Tech
Amber Stivrins, OH, Louisville
Amaya Tillman, MB, Louisville
Savannah Vach, S, Miami
Parker Austin, OH, North Carolina
Skyy Howard, MB, North Carolina
Caroline Meuth, OH, Notre Dame
Lexis Akeo, S, Pitt
^ - denotes unanimous selection
* - denotes number of All-ACC honors in career
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Players Mentioned
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