Pitt Ranked No. 12 in AVCA Preseason Coaches Poll

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The back-to-back ACC champion University of Pittsburgh volleyball team has earned its highest preseason ranking in program history, coming in at No. 12 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, released Tuesday afternoon.

"Noting the amount of talent that we return this year, it's great to be recognized by fellow coaches," head coach Dan Fisher said. "It's a privilege for us to see these high expectations of our program. We're looking forward to facing many of the teams on this list in both preseason and ACC play, and giving our fans something to be excited about in Pittsburgh."

The poll marks the third time that Pitt has earned an AVCA preseason ranking, in addition to 2018 (No. 20) and 1992 (No. 25).

Named the ACC preseason favorite for the second consecutive year, the Panthers ranked 14th in the final 2018 AVCA Coaches Poll.

Four of Pitt's 2019 opponents were ranked in the poll: including No. 8 Penn State (Sept. 20 & 22), No. 11 Oregon (Sept. 11), No. 23 Cal Poly (Sept. 13) and No. 25 Louisville (Oct. 27, Nov. 27).

Five of the Panthers' upcoming opponents received votes in the poll, including Cincinnati (Aug. 30), South Carolina (Aug. 31), Utah (Sept. 14), Pepperdine (Sept. 14) and Florida State (Oct. 6, Nov. 24).

In the hunt for its third consecutive ACC title under Fisher, Pitt enters the 2019 season returning five of seven starters, losing only the libero and setter positions. The Panthers welcome seven newcomers, including 2017 Big 12 Libero of the Year Hali Hillegas, a transfer from Iowa State. The Panthers finished the 2018 season in the NCAA Tournament Second Round with a 30-2 overall record and 17-1 record in ACC play.

Pitt led all teams with four student-athletes named to the 18-member 2019 Preseason All-ACC Volleyball Team. The Panthers' 2018 AVCA All-Americans, including Nika Markovic (third team), Kayla Lund (honorable mention), Layne Van Buskirk (honorable mention) and Stephanie Williams (honorable mention), earned the accolades.

2019 AVCA DIVISION I PRESEASON COACHES POLL
RANK – SCHOOL (FIRST PLACE VOTES)

Stanford (62)
Nebraska (1)
Minnesota
Texas
Wisconsin
Illinois
Kentucky
Penn State (1)
BYU
Florida
Oregon
Pittsburgh
Washington
Southern California
Michigan
Marquette
Purdue
Creighton
Tennessee
Baylor
San Diego
Washington State
Cal Poly
Arizona
Louisville

Pitt will the 2019 home season with the Panther Challenge against Cleveland State, Cincinnati and South Carolina Aug. 30-31 at Fitzgerald Field House.

FLEX SEASON TICKETS
Flex season tickets are on sale for $45 (a $100 value), and groups of 15 or more will receive admission for $3 per ticket. Flex tickets can be used traditionally (one ticket for each match) or in any combination (two tickets for six matches, four tickets for three matches, etc.). During home tournaments, one ticket will allow entry for all matches on that day.

Benefits for flex season ticket holders include: