University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
30-4,18-2ACC
#12 Purdue
27-7,15-5Big Ten
Pitt Volleyball Advances To Fifth Straight National Semifinal
12/13/2025 9:37:00 PM | Volleyball
PITTSBURGH – The No. 1 seeded Pitt volleyball team (30-4, 18-2 ACC) defeated No. 3 seed Purdue (27-7, 15-5 Big Ten) in four sets Saturday night at the Petersen Events Center, 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, to advance to its fifth straight National Semifinal. Olivia Babcock was named the Pittsburgh Regional Most Outstanding Player after leading the Panthers with 23 kills, four digs and two blocks.
With the win, Pitt became the first program to reach five consecutive National Semifinals since Texas accomplished the feat from 2012–16.
Both teams traded points throughout the opening set before Pitt called a timeout trailing 19-18. A pair of Panther kills and a service ace from Mallorie Meyer swung the momentum and forced a Purdue timeout. The Boilermakers used their final timeout following another Babcock kill at 23-20, but a termination from Marina Pezelj and Babcock's ninth kill of the set sealed the 25-22 win.
Pitt jumped out to an early 13-9 advantage in the second set before Purdue answered with a 5-0 run, prompting a Panther timeout. Purdue later used two timeouts as Pitt maintained a 19-15 lead. The Boilermakers closed within three at 23-20, but a kill from freshman Abbey Emch and a Purdue hitting error secured the 25-21 set win for Pitt.
Purdue gained early momentum in the third set and forced Pitt to take a timeout trailing 10-8. The Panthers stayed within striking distance, causing Purdue to call a timeout at 17-16, but the Boilermakers closed out the set, 25-22, to extend the match.
Pitt responded emphatically in the fourth set, building an early 9-5 lead behind tough serving from Brooke Mosher and Pezelj, which led to a Purdue timeout. Bre Kelley and Babcock combined for four kills to force the Boilermakers to use their final timeout at 16-11. The Panthers pulled away down the stretch to claim the 25-17 set and the match, 3-1.
Pitt will face the winner of No. 1 seed Nebraska and No. 3 seed Texas A&M in the National Semifinal on Thursday, Dec. 18, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The first semifinal match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, with Pitt's match time to be determined following Sunday's Regional Final contests.
NOTES
- Olivia Babcock was named the Pittsburgh Regional Most Outstanding Player for the third straight year.
- Marina Pezelj recorded a career-high 14 kills and led the team with 12 digs.
- Brooke Mosher tied her season high with four blocks and finished one kill shy of her season best with four.
- Mallorie Meyer matched her career high with three service aces.
Pittsburgh Regional All-Tournament Team
Most Outstanding Player: Olivia Babcock (Pitt)
Brooke Mosher (Pitt)
Marina Pezelj (Pitt)
Kenna Wollard (Purdue)
Akasha Anderson (Purdue)
Ryan McAleer (Purdue)
Malaya Jones (SMU)
