University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Athletics Mourns Loss of Monica Wignot
3/6/2022 5:16:00 PM | General, Women's Basketball, Volleyball
Former Pitt Volleyball, Basketball Star Passes Away
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics mourns the loss of Monica Wignot, a former volleyball and basketball student-athlete, who tragically passed away in a car accident Friday evening. She was 29 years old.
"Monica Wignot represented the student-athlete ideal at Pitt," Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. "She excelled in not one but two sports at the Division I level, a reflection of both her tremendous talent and commitment. That same dedication was evident in her academic pursuits as she earned three degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. The Pitt Athletics family extends our deepest sympathies to Monica's family and loved ones."
A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Wignot will be remembered as a gifted athlete, a diligent student and a tremendous teammate. Her talents extended across multiple sports, having played four years of volleyball followed by one season of women's basketball at Pitt. She earned All-Big East honors for volleyball in addition to the second-most single-season blocks in Pitt basketball history.
"Monica was a fantastic athlete, a loyal teammate and a good person," volleyball head coach Dan Fisher said. "She was on my first team at Pitt in 2013 and by the end of that year, she became the best player on our court. She had a big hand in helping turn this program around and I wish I could have coached her longer. I know how much her family, teammates and loved ones are hurting right now."
She earned dual bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology from Pitt in 2014 prior to garnering her master's in social work in 2016. Following her single season playing basketball in 2014-15, she remained with the program to serve as a graduate assistant for the 2015-16 season.
"I am truly devastated," former women's basketball head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "Monica was a special athlete, but more importantly an amazing young woman – someone you hope your daughter grows up to be like. Monica created a culture of excellence and was such an integral part of our program and our NCAA Tournament run. My thoughts and prayers are with her family."
On the volleyball court, Wignot competed from 2010-13 and etched her name in the program record book multiple times. Her 10.73 attacks per set as a utility hitter in 2011 stand as the most in a single season for Pitt during the 25-point rally scoring era (2008-present). During the same era, she ranks in the program's Top 10 for single-season solo blocks (17 in 2012), service aces (42 in 2011), service aces per set (0.38 in 2011) and total attacks (1,202 in 2011). Her career-best 11 blocks against DePaul on Oct. 28, 2012, are the 12th-most by a Pitt player in a single match in program history. She was a 2012 All-Big East honoree.
Following a prolific four-year volleyball career with the Panthers, Wignot used her final season of eligibility to compete for the women's basketball team (2014-15). The multi-talented post player started all 31 games and finished with the second-most blocks in a single season in Pitt history (83). She ranked second on the squad in scoring (10.0 ppg) and third in rebounding (6.4 rpg). The All-ACC Academic Team selection completed her season with 20 multi-block games and 15 games with at least three rejections. Wignot's contributions on the basketball court helped lead Pitt to its most recent NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015. In the Panthers' First Round win over Chattanooga, she posted five points, seven rebounds and three blocks in 35 minutes of work. In her final collegiate game against Tennessee, Wignot netted five points, six rebounds and five blocked shots.
Wignot is survived by her parents, Thomas and Terese, and three siblings, Stephen, Owen and Julia.
Services are planned for Thursday at the MJ McLaughlin Company and St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
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"Monica Wignot represented the student-athlete ideal at Pitt," Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. "She excelled in not one but two sports at the Division I level, a reflection of both her tremendous talent and commitment. That same dedication was evident in her academic pursuits as she earned three degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. The Pitt Athletics family extends our deepest sympathies to Monica's family and loved ones."
A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Wignot will be remembered as a gifted athlete, a diligent student and a tremendous teammate. Her talents extended across multiple sports, having played four years of volleyball followed by one season of women's basketball at Pitt. She earned All-Big East honors for volleyball in addition to the second-most single-season blocks in Pitt basketball history.
"Monica was a fantastic athlete, a loyal teammate and a good person," volleyball head coach Dan Fisher said. "She was on my first team at Pitt in 2013 and by the end of that year, she became the best player on our court. She had a big hand in helping turn this program around and I wish I could have coached her longer. I know how much her family, teammates and loved ones are hurting right now."
She earned dual bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology from Pitt in 2014 prior to garnering her master's in social work in 2016. Following her single season playing basketball in 2014-15, she remained with the program to serve as a graduate assistant for the 2015-16 season.
"I am truly devastated," former women's basketball head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio said. "Monica was a special athlete, but more importantly an amazing young woman – someone you hope your daughter grows up to be like. Monica created a culture of excellence and was such an integral part of our program and our NCAA Tournament run. My thoughts and prayers are with her family."
On the volleyball court, Wignot competed from 2010-13 and etched her name in the program record book multiple times. Her 10.73 attacks per set as a utility hitter in 2011 stand as the most in a single season for Pitt during the 25-point rally scoring era (2008-present). During the same era, she ranks in the program's Top 10 for single-season solo blocks (17 in 2012), service aces (42 in 2011), service aces per set (0.38 in 2011) and total attacks (1,202 in 2011). Her career-best 11 blocks against DePaul on Oct. 28, 2012, are the 12th-most by a Pitt player in a single match in program history. She was a 2012 All-Big East honoree.
Following a prolific four-year volleyball career with the Panthers, Wignot used her final season of eligibility to compete for the women's basketball team (2014-15). The multi-talented post player started all 31 games and finished with the second-most blocks in a single season in Pitt history (83). She ranked second on the squad in scoring (10.0 ppg) and third in rebounding (6.4 rpg). The All-ACC Academic Team selection completed her season with 20 multi-block games and 15 games with at least three rejections. Wignot's contributions on the basketball court helped lead Pitt to its most recent NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015. In the Panthers' First Round win over Chattanooga, she posted five points, seven rebounds and three blocks in 35 minutes of work. In her final collegiate game against Tennessee, Wignot netted five points, six rebounds and five blocked shots.
Wignot is survived by her parents, Thomas and Terese, and three siblings, Stephen, Owen and Julia.
Services are planned for Thursday at the MJ McLaughlin Company and St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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