2024 Record: 29–5 overall, 17–1 ACC
Postseason: Reached NCAA Final Four
Head Coach: Dan Fisher (12th season)
2024 at a Glance & Key Departures
Pitt enters 2025 riding four straight Final Four appearances, but the roster turnover is significant. The Panthers said goodbye to foundational players like setter Rachel Fairbanks, libero Emmy Klika, and outside hitter Valeria Vásquez-Gómez, all lost to graduation. On top of that, star Torrey Stafford transferred to Texas, leaving a narrowed veteran core of Olivia Babcock, Ryla Jones, and Bre Kelley.
Returners & Impact Newcomers
Despite the losses, Pitt remains stacked. Reigning AVCA National Player of the Year Olivia Babcock returns after averaging 4.72 kills per set, hitting .323, and adding 1.12 blocks per set. She’ll be supported by dynamic middle blockers Bre Kelley (an All-American who hit .506 and averaged 1.53 blocks per set) and Ryla Jones (an All-ACC Freshman Team and AVCA All-Region honoree).
New faces will be critical. Redshirt senior transfer Brooke Mosher arrives from Illinois after leading the Illini with 982 assists and 43 aces. Freshmen Abbey Emch (MB) and Samara Coleman (OH) are blue-chip recruits expected to push for immediate playing time. The Panthers also answered questions with a strong spring exhibition slate, going 3–0 despite all the roster turnover.
Early-Season Clash & High-Stakes Matchups
The Panthers open the season in the national spotlight against No. 1 Nebraska in the AVCA First Serve Showcase on FOX. From there, the 2025 schedule is loaded: 17 matches against 2024 NCAA Tournament teams, including Final Four foes Nebraska, Penn State, and Louisville, plus national heavyweights Kentucky and Stanford. The in-state rivalry clash at Penn State on September 17 will be another early measuring stick.
Expectations & Outlook
Under head coach Dan Fisher—the reigning AVCA National Coach of the Year—Pitt’s standard is nothing less than a Final Four berth and a push for the national title. The key will be how quickly new pieces like Mosher, Emch, and Coleman integrate with Babcock, Kelley, and Jones. If that chemistry clicks, Pitt has every tool to stay in the national conversation all the way through December.
Players To Watch
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Olivia Babcock, RS (JR) – reigning National Player of the Year
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Bre Kelley, MB (R-SR) – All-American defender
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Ryla Jones, MB (SO) – All-ACC freshman standout
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Brooke Mosher, S (RS-SR) – veteran transfer and playmaker
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Abbey Emch, MB (FR) – high-upside newcomer
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Samara Coleman, OH (FR) – incoming scoring threat