When Chiamaka Nwokolo walked on Senior Day last season, it didn’t appear that she would be using her final season of collegiate eligibility.
Well, she’s back. Pitt volleyball announced Friday afternoon that Nwokolo — an All-ACC, All-AVCA East Coast Region middle blocker last season — will be returning for one last season at Pitt — granting her a chance for one final run at a national championship.
“Chia has been a major part of our success here at Pitt on and off the court,” Head coach Dan Fisher said in the release. “She is someone of high character who has been a great player and great leader for us. We are excited to be able to bring back someone of her caliber who has such a great understanding of the values and culture of our program.”
Nwokolo recorded a career-high 166 kills, 118 blocks and 235.5 points last season while posting a .374 hitting percentage in 34 matches (31 starts).
Nwokolo worked with Serena Gray to serve as one of the best duos of middle-blockers in the nation last season. She led Pitt with an average of 1.13 blocks per set, which finished as seventh best in the ACC. Nwokolo also had her first 100-kill, 100-block season of her career with the increased playing time in 2022.
She made a season-high eight blocks in a five-set victory over then-No. 2 Louisville on Oct. 23 She also made a season-high 14 kills on .522 hitting against NC State.
Pitt now returns nine players from last season’s Final Four team, with Rachel Fairbanks, Valeria Vaxquez Gomez, Nwokolo, Lexis Akeo, Julianna Dalton, Cat Flood, Dillyn Griffin, Rachel Jepson and Emmy Kilka.
Fisher has also added a couple of transfers in Emma Monks (Michigan State) and Logan Mosely, to go along with the highest-rated freshman class in program history.
Pitt once again appears ready to compete as one of the top squads in the ACC — and all of women’s college volleyball.
