After a rocky start, Pitt volleyball has settled into form and looks every bit like the national contender they were projected to be. The Panthers opened the season in Lincoln against two of the toughest opponents imaginable — top-ranked Nebraska and perennial SEC power Florida. Both matches ended in losses, a 1–3 setback to the Huskers and a heartbreaking 2–3 defeat to the Gators, but the experience proved valuable. Pitt came out of that weekend sharper, hungrier, and ready to show they belong in the top tier of college volleyball.
Since then, the Panthers have flipped the script with a five-match win streak. They swept Arizona State in straight sets, handing the Sun Devils their first major test of the year, and followed it with decisive wins over TCU, Pepperdine, and Jacksonville. The most impressive statement came in a 3–0 sweep of Kentucky — a ranked SEC opponent and exactly the type of win that builds postseason credibility.
The story of the season so far is resilience. Instead of dwelling on an 0–2 start, Pitt leaned into its depth and experience. Veterans have steadied the team, and the Panthers’ balance across the net has made them increasingly difficult to game-plan against. At home, they’ve been nearly flawless, using the energy of Fitzgerald Field House to roll past opponents with confidence.
Player Spotlight: Olivia Babcock Leading the Way
No player has embodied Pitt’s early turnaround more than Olivia Babcock. The sophomore outside hitter has been a force at the net, combining power with consistency in every phase of the game. In Pitt’s wins over Arizona State and TCU, she piled up more than 25 kills and added seven blocks, showing why she’s one of the ACC’s rising stars. Her serve has also become a weapon, with multiple aces in key moments.
Alongside Babcock, setter Lexis Akeo continues to be the steady hand guiding the offense, distributing with poise and giving Pitt multiple scoring options. Graduate middle blocker Chiamaka Nwokolo has anchored the front row with timely blocks, while libero Ashley Browske has been a spark on defense, keeping rallies alive with highlight-reel digs. Together, that mix of star power and role players stepping up has transformed Pitt into a dangerous, well-rounded unit.
The Road Ahead
The next stretch will define Pitt’s non-conference campaign. They’ll travel to Ohio for back-to-back matches against Wright State (Sept. 12) and Ohio (Sept. 13), both chances to extend the win streak and fine-tune the rotation. Then comes the marquee matchup circled on every fan’s calendar: a Sept. 17 showdown at Penn State. The Panthers and Nittany Lions have a long, spirited rivalry, and this year’s clash could carry national implications as both programs jockey for NCAA tournament positioning.
From there, ACC play begins — Clemson and Georgia Tech await to open the conference slate. If Pitt can carry its current form into league play, the Panthers will be right where they want to be: in the thick of the ACC title hunt and on a path toward another deep postseason run.
By the Numbers
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Record: 5–2 overall (five straight wins)
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Sets Won/Lost: 16–3 during win streak
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Top Performance: Babcock — 25 kills, 7 blocks across ASU/TCU wins
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National Ranking: Sitting in the Top 10 of most power polls
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Upcoming Key Match: Sept. 17 at Penn State