Panthers’ Season Ends in NCAA Tournament Second Round

Saturday, December 7

Pittsburgh, Pa.

7 PM ET

Pitt

30-2

Cincinnati

27-6

Cincinnati

Pitt

Panthers’ Season Ends in NCAA Tournament Second Round

12/7/2019 11:33:00 PM | Volleyball

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Sixth-Seeded Pitt Falls to Cincinnati in Five Sets

PITTSBURGH – The sixth-seeded Pitt volleyball team (30-2, 18-0 ACC) fell to Cincinnati (27-6, 15-1 AAC) in a five-set heartbreaker at Petersen Events Center Saturday night, ending its run in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

With the loss, the Panthers were eliminated in the Second Round for the fourth consecutive season. Pitt fell by scores of 26-24, 21-25, 25-16, 21-25, 13-15.

The loss ended a 19-match win streak for Pitt.

ACC Player of the Year Kayla Lund crossed the 1,000-kill threshold for her career during the match while leading the Panthers with 20 kills in a double-double effort, adding 14 digs.

Lund was one of four Panthers with double-figure kills, alongside classmate Chinaza Ndee (16), redshirt senior outside Stephanie Williams (14) and senior middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk (13).

Freshman setter Lexis Akeo had a career high-tying 58 assists to go along with 11 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Sophomore middle Sabrina Starks was Pitt's top blocker with five, and redshirt senior libero Hali Hillegas had a match-high 18 digs.

For the first time this season, Pitt was out-hit by its opponent (.290 to .268). Three-time AAC Player of the Year Jordan Thompson had a match-high 27 kills for Cincinnati.

Set One: No. 6 Pitt 26, Cincinnati 24

The first frame went back and forth, with 13 ties and five lead changes. A 5-0 run gave the Bearcats an 18-15 advantage, who later led 21-19. Pitt used a 7-3 run, with two set points, winning in extras. The Panthers had a slight hitting advantage with a percentage of .275, holding Cincinnati to .229.

Set Two: Cincinnati 25, No. 6 Pitt 21

It was another close frame, marked by 13 ties and seven lead changes. Cincinnati used a late 6-1 run to pull ahead, 21-17. Pitt was able to cut its deficit to two, down 22-20, but the Bearcats held on to even the match at one set apiece. It was a hot hitting set for both teams, but Cincinnati had the advantage (.486 to .419).

Set Three: No. 6 Pitt 25, Cincinnati 16

Pitt took early control of the third set, using a 6-0 run to earn a 9-5 lead. The Panthers extended their lead with a 5-0 run to go up, 18-12. Cincinnati cut its deficit to 19-16, but Pitt closed the door with a 6-0 run, capped by an Avery Perosa ace, to win, 25-16, and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Set Four: Cincinnati 25, No. 6 Pitt 21

Cincinnati jumped out to an 8-2 lead and never looked back, leading the set wire-to-wire. Pitt was able to cut the margin to one, down 18-17, but Cincinnati answered with three consecutive points to go up, 21-17. The Panthers fought through three set points but fell, 25-21.
Cincy early 8-2 lead following 7-1 run

Set Five: Cincinnati 15, No. 6 Pitt 13

Despite a 4-0 start for the Panthers, Cincinnati surged with five consecutive points to take the lead. Pitt held a late 11-8 advantage, but could not hold on as the Bearcats ended the frame on a 7-2 run.

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