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Pitt Volleyball

No. 7 Pitt Dominates Again in Sweep over Virginia Tech

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No. 7 Pitt dominated another ACC opponent, this time in a sweep over Virginia Tech on the road on Sunday.

The Panthers’ (22-2 overall, 12-0 ACC) win is the 15th straight overall and the eighth straight over the Hokies (9-14 overall, 2-10 ACC), dating back to 2016. This victory also extends the longest road winning streak in Division I to 13 games. The Panthers finish perfect in October with this win as well, making it just the sixth time in program history and the first time since 2019.

The 12 consecutive ACC wins to start the season for the Panthers is the longest conference winning streak of any team in the Power 5 Conferences. The Panthers are also the only undefeated team in conference play in the Power 5 conferences.

Pitt led early in the first set, but Virginia Tech kept it within four midway. Pitt managed to break out on an 8-2 scoring run to take a 20-9 lead and traded points the rest of the way to finish off the set, 25-14.

Both teams fought back and forth to start the second set, with the Panthers holding a slight 11-10 advantage. The Panthers managed to break away from the Hokies with a 6-0 run and then increased their lead to 21-13. They would hold on to win the second set, 25-17.

Pitt and Virginia Tech kept it close throughout the majority of the third set, with Pitt holding just a 16-15 lead. Pitt managed to finish off Virginia Tech soon after, going on a 9-2 scoring run to win the set, 25-17, and the match.

The Hokies finished with a -0.37 hitting percentage, which is the lowest hitting percentage the Panthers have held an ACC team to in program history.

Graduate middle blocker Serena Gray starred for the Panthers in the victory over the Hokies. She tied with sophomore outside hitter Julianna Dalton for first in kills with eight. She also had a .800 hitting percentage, which is the highest for her in her time as a Panther. Gray tied fellow middle blocker, senior Chiamaka Nwokolo, with four total blocks to lead the Panthers.

Sophomore libero Emmy Klika stepped in place for senior libero Ashley Browske and played a solid game in the win, making a team-high 13 digs.

Sophomore setter Rachel Fairbanks finished with a team-high 24 assists and senior setter Lexis Akeo provided 11 assists of her own. Both players finished in second for Pitt with seven digs.

Redshirt junior outside hitter Valeria Vasquez Gomez finished with seven kills, one of which was her 500th kill of her career.

Graduate right setter Courtney Buzzerio ended the match with just seven kills, tying her with Vasquez Gomez. This ends her impressive 15 consecutive games where she led the team in kills and the 15th straight where she made double digits in kills.

Pitt continues to play on their road next weekend, with a match against Syracuse on Friday, Nov. 4.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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