Pitt volleyball added a new member to their 2024 roster on Wednesday, announcing the signing of middle blocker Bianca Garibaldi.
Garibaldi hails from Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina, in the central part of the country, and went to Bernardo D’Elia. She played volleyball for River Plate Club, one of the biggest sports clubs in the country, in Buenos Aires, the capital city,
She has also starred for the Argentina at different youth levels, playing in the U19 South American Cup, U19 World Championships and U21 South American Cup. She led Argentina at the U19 World Championships this past summer in Croatia-Hungary with 88 kills and 22 blocks, as they finished ninth out of 24 teams. At the U19 South American Cup, she earned best middle blocker honors.
Garibaldi is a mid-year signee and is practicing with the team currently. She will play as a member of the team during their spring season and will be a freshman with four years of eligibility, starting with the 2024 season.
She is one of two middle blockers that will come as freshman for Pitt volleyball, with Ryla Jones from Fort Washington, Md. Garibaldi will join Jones, along with setter/right side hitter Kiana Dinn and libero/defensive specialist Mallorie Meyer, as the four freshmen in the Class of 2024.
Garibaldi also stands at 6-foot, which is smaller than normal middle blockers, but former Pitt middle blocker Chiamaka Nwokolo, who was the same height, excelled in her five seasons with the program (2019-23), and is now a member of the Atlanta Vibe in the professional ranks. She will also wear the No. 1 jersey, taking over for former setter Lexis Akeo, who wore the number for the past five seasons.
Along with Jones, Garibaldi will serve as one of four middle blockers on the Panthers, with redshirt junior Bre Kelley and junior Rachel Jepsen, in 2024.
Pitt Volleyball 2024 Roster Outlook + Eligibility
Graduate Student (One Year)
Outside hitter Valeria Vazquez Gomez
Senior (Two Years)
Outside hitter Julianna Dalton
Senior (One Year)
Setter Rachel Fairbanks
Libero/defensive specialist Emmy Klika
Redshirt Junior (Two years)
Middle blocker Bre Kelley
Junior (Two Years)
Middle blocker Rachel Jepsen
Libero/defensive specialist Dillyn Griffn
Sophomore (Three Years)
Outside hitter Torrey Stafford
Outside hitter Blaire Bayless
Right side hitter Olivia Babcock
Setter Haiti Tautua’a
Freshman (Four Years)
Middle blocker Ryla Jones
Middle blocker Bianca Garibaldi
Setter/right side hitter Kiana Dinn
Libero/defensive specialist Mallorie Meyer
Sounds like a significant recruiting win. Much needed for a recruiting class not particularly highly ranked compared to other top program peers.