Pitt
14-0,4-0ACC
Syracuse
12-4,0-4ACC
No. 1 Panthers Earn 14th Straight Win, Sweep Syracuse
10/6/2024 2:27:00 PM | Volleyball
SYRACUSE - The No. 1 University of Pittsburgh volleyball team (14-0, 4-0 ACC) picked up its 14th straight win (25-11, 25-18, 25-14) against Syracuse (12-4, 0-4 ACC) in three sets on Sunday afternoon to remain undefeated. Torrey Stafford led the Panthers with 16 kills and five digs, and Nisa Buzlutepe recorded a season-high 37 assists and added seven digs and a block.
Pitt got out to a hot start in the first set as it earned a 12-6 lead, forcing Syracuse to take its first timeout. Stafford killed five balls in the stretch. The Panthers continued gaining momentum, and two more kills from Stafford, a kill from Ryla Jones and an Olivia Babcock ace were crucial in Pitt going on another substantial 8-4 run. The Orange had no choice but to call its final timeout, down 10-21. A pair of errors from Syracuse, a kill from Valeria Vazquez Gomez and Stafford's eighth kill of the set was enough for Pitt to take the first set, 25-11.
The Panthers never trailed in set two, but the Orange stuck with Pitt until the media timeout as Pitt held the 15-9 advantage. Syracuse sided out well in the following stretch but was unable to go on a substantial run. Tough serving from the Pitt side caused Syracuse to call its first timeout with the Panthers leading 20-15. The Orange picked up a kill, but another kill from Vazquez Gomez and a Syracuse hitting error forced the Orange to take its final timeout, down 16-22. Pitt's offense continued to click, and a final kill from Ryla Jones was enough for the Panthers to win set two, 25-18.
Pitt continued its dominance in set three, getting out to an early 13-6 advantage, leading Syracuse to take a timeout. Vazquez Gomez continued her impressive play behind the service line and forced three consecutive Syracuse errors. The Orange took the chance to regroup and called its final timeout, down 8-18. Blaire Bayless and Cat Flood combined for three late kills to push Pitt to take the third set, 25-14, and the match, 3-0.
NOTES
- Pitt has now swept 13 of its 14 opponents, losing one set all year
- Torrey Stafford recorded a match-high 16 kills and hit .560
- Nisa Buzlutepe notched a season-high 37 assists and led Pitt to hit .372
- Emmy Klika and Valeria Vazquez Gomez tied for a match-high eight digs
- Ryla Jones hit .667 and added five kills on six swings
UP NEXT
The No. 1 Panthers are back at the Fitzgerald Field House next Wednesday, Oct. 9 against No. 17 SMU. This will be Pitt's fifth top 25 matchup this season, and the match will be broadcasted on ACC Network.
