Pitt volleyball has added a new player to their Class of 2025 in Ohio middle blocker and outside hitter Abbey Emch, as she announced her commitment on Instagram on Sunday.
“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Pittsburgh to continue my academic and athletic careers!!,” Emch wrote on her Instagram post. “Thank you God for blessing me with this incredible opportunity. Thank you to all of my family, friends, and coaches who have always been so supportive. Thank you to the entire Pitt staff for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity. I could not be more excited to start my next adventure! #H2P”
Emch plays volleyball for Crestview High School in Columbiana, Ohio, which is south of Youngstown near the Pennsylvania border. It is about a 61 mile drive from Fitzgerald Field House, home of Pitt Volleyball, to her high school.
She stands at 6-foot-3 and works, essentially, as a middle hitter. Emch plays as a middle blocker, but functions like an outside hitter, where the team sets her to make kills wherever she is on the court. Emch also has the height to make blocks and is a threat anywhere near the net against her opponents.
Emch also comes from a volleyball family, as her sister, Emily Emch, played volleyball at nearby Youngstown State.
She excelled as a sophomore in 2022, as she made 439 kills, 96 blocks, 195 digs, 55 service aces and had a .408 hitting percentage.
Emch also plays for Infinity Volleyball Club in Salem, Ohio, which is only about 14 miles away from Crestview High School and  has also played in the USA National Team Development Program.
Pitt Volleyball, such as head coach Dan Fisher and associate head coach/recruiting coordinator Kellen Petrone, will continue to work with Class of 2025 recruits and others.
Pitt most recently reacquired the services of middle blocker Chiamaka Nwokolo for one more season and also Florida transfer middle blocker Bre Kelley for next season, reaffirming their status as one of the best volleyball programs in the country.
Pitt Volleyball also released their 2023 regular season schedule in early June, which features many great non-conference opponents and two great games at the Petersen Events Center.
Love what Coach Fisher is doing. The man definitely has a plan and not resting on those Final Fours. Panthers will be in the hunt for that elusive NC in the near future.