After losing at home to No. 18 Georgia Tech last weekend for the first time all season, the No. 4 Pitt volleyball team was in search of a bounce-back match on Friday.
They claimed just that, but not without a hint of adversity thrown their way, taking down Miami on the road in four sets.
The Panthers (16-1, 6-1 ACC) defeated a strong Miami team (14-3, 5-2) for it’s first home loss of 2021, but the Hurricanes began the match strong out of the gate.
A back-and-forth first match was won by Miami 25-21 as the Hurricanes pulled away late, putting Pitt in an early hole to climb out of.
Pitt responded in the second set, subtly leading throughout the set’s duration and capping it off with a mini run to seal a 25-22 final and 1-1 match draw.
The Panthers began to exert their dominance as a Top 5 team in the country leading 18-12 more than halfway through set three, only to allow another four points to the opposition and claim a 25-16 win, in good position up 2-1 in the match to bounce back from Georgia Tech.
Set number four was similar to the third, with Miami trying to knock on the door but Pitt not letting them in to celebrate on its own floor, capping off a 25-18 fourth set to win the match 3-1 and begin a potential new winning streak for the ACC favorites.
Graduate players Chinaza Ndee and Kayla Lund once again guided the Panthers to victory with 17 and 16 kills, respectively, with Lund also recording a match-high three aces.
Chiamaka Nwokolo led Pitt in blocks (5) and Kylee Levers in assists (26) and digs (15).
Pitt remains in Florida the rest of the weekend, traveling to Tallahassee facing Florida State on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Hail to Pitt women!