University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
19-3,10-1ACC
Virginia Tech
12-10,2-9ACC
Pitt Sweeps Hokies for 10th ACC Win
10/27/2023 9:57:00 PM | Volleyball
PITTSBURGH –The No. 7 University of Pittsburgh volleyball team (19-3, 10-1 ACC) swept Virginia Tech (12-10, 2-9 ACC) Friday night at the Fitzgerald Field House, recording the highest team hitting percentage in the Dan Fisher era with a .619 clip. Five Panthers recorded at least a .600 hitting percentage in the sweep.
The Panthers started off the beginning of the first set hot, as Valeria Vazquez Gomez went on a serving run to push the Panthers to a 4-0 start. Senior Cat Flood was inserted into the match shortly after and immediately recorded an ace to push the score to 7-1. Freshman Torrey Stafford brought the heat from the service line and propelled Chiamaka Nwokolo and Babcock to register some kills of their own. The Panthers took the momentum into the media timeout, 15-8. A 10-3 run behind impressive offensive play from Pittsburgh, hitting .700 secured the first set victory, 25-13.
Pitt started strong, continuing the momentum from the first set. The Panthers got out to a 7-2 run after two Vazquez Gomez aces. Stafford, Nwokolo, Vazquez Gomez and Blaire Bayless all recorded kills in the following stretch and pushed the Hokies to take their second timeout, down 7-16. Virginia Tech sided out well in the end of the set but couldn't string together points for runs, helping Pitt take the second set, 25-14. Stafford added four kills, three digs and an ace.
Clicking on all cylinders, the Panthers did not stop putting pressure on the Hokies. They got off to an 11-3 lead, causing Virginia Tech to call a timeout as Flood and Stafford continued to be difference makers behind the service line. Fourteen kills from the Panthers hitting .636 and four blocks from Monks was enough to take the third set, 25-14 and match, 3-0.
NOTES
- Emma Monks recorded a career-high 11 blocks in the sweep
- The Panthers continued its defensive prowess, holding the Hokies to a .177 hitting percentage
- Torrey Stafford had a team-high 11 kills, hitting .688 and added six digs, two blocks and an ace
- Olivia Babcock hit a career-high .800 on the day, recording eight kills, three blocks and an assist
UP NEXT
The No. 7 Panthers are back for the final home match of the weekend on Sunday at 1 p.m. as they play Wake Forest. The match will be streamed on ACCNX, and Pitt volleyball seniors will be honored after the match on Sunday.
