Pitt volleyball outside hitter Julianna Dalton is set to leave the program, as she entered her name into the transfer portal, according to Talia Goodman.
Dalton played the past two seasons for the Panthers, but saw most of her action in 2022, as she made 32 appearances, starting 30 of them. She finished with 234 kills, 2.15 per set, 57.0 total blocks, 186 digs, 1.71 per set and 280.0 points, 2.57 per set, ranking fourth best in those categories for the Panthers that season. She dealt with injury problems later on in the season, missing the first three games of the NCAA Tournament and playing just four sets combined in the Elite Eight win over Wisconsin and the Final Four loss to Louisville, with each match going to five sets.
With the emergence of first-year outside hitter Torrey Stafford, Dalton saw a greatly reduced role last season, playing in just 15 matches and 29 sets. Stafford would excel in her first season with Pitt volleyball, receiving AVCA Third Team All-American, AVCA All-East Coast Region Team, All-ACC First Team and All-ACC Freshman Team honors.
Dalton started out playing for Washington State, where she had a great first year in the COVID-19 impacted 2020-21 season. She played in all 16 games, starting almost all of them, and was second on the team with 151 kills, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors.
One likely place she may transfer to is West Virginia, as former Washington State head coach Jen Greeny took over for the same position there this offseason.
She is the second player for Pitt volleyball to enter the transfer portal with fan favorite and serve specialist Cat Flood doing so in December. She will have two years left of eligibility, as she didn’t play in 2021-22, redshirting, and also with the COVID-19 extra year.
Pitt Volleyball 2024 Roster Outlook + Eligibility
Graduate Student (One Year)
Outside hitter Valeria Vazquez Gomez
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
Hate to lose proven players to the portal but I understand this girl wants to be a starter. Dan Fisher does an outstanding job in filling the gaps with quality players so it’s no surprise a player here or there will transfer. Thanks for your service at Pitt and wish you the best!
Testament to Fisher’s program that Dalton (all Pac-12 freshman, 6’5″) can’t get meaningful reps at OH, and Cat Flood relegated to a serving specialist. What depth he has built.
She would struggle for PT next year with Bre Kelley healthy. Smart move on her part
Bre Kelley plays at middle blocker. She isn’t competing with her for playing time. Stafford and Vazquez Gomez will start at oH next season