No. 1 Pitt Volleyball Dominates No. 3 Penn State in Statement Win

No. 1 Pitt volleyball might lose a game this season, but the Panthers have shown no reason to expect it to happen anytime soon.

Pitt dominated No. 3 Penn State at the Petersen Events Center Wednesday night, 25-15, 25-19, 25-18, just about going wire to wire in the statement win against an in-state rival. Pitt largely controlled play, only allowing the Nittany Lions to stick around because of its own aggressive play.

A record-breaking 11,800 fans at the Pete watched Pitt secure a huge win during a fun, record-setting night in Pittsburgh with an entire community in attendance — and watching on television.

“We let a couple covers drop there late, but on the whole, we played great,” Dan Fisher told ACC Network following the game.

OUR. STATE. pic.twitter.com/PqvyD1flBo

— Pitt Volleyball (@Pitt_VB) September 19, 2024

Pitt — perhaps channeling the raucous crowd — started fast. The Panthers jumped out to an early 6-1 lead, courtesy of a combined four kills from Torrey Stafford and Olivia Babcock. It turned into an onslaught from the Panthers, defending well and turning defense into powerful kills from Stafford, Babcock and Valeria Vazquez Gomez.

Pitt took advantage of an out-of-sync Nittany Lions squad, cruising to a 25-15 set win. Babcock and Bre Kelley combined for the set-clinching block.

Pitt hit .429 (with 17 kills) in the first set, showcasing a legitimate striking ability.

Babcock started the second set with a kill, but Penn State stuck with the Panthers through the early portion of the second set. The Nittany Lions battled back to a 7-7 tie and took their first lead of the set, courtesy of … . But Pitt battled through it.

A Vazquez Gomez ace, the first of the second set, gave Pitt a 13-10 lead, and the Panthers stretched the lead to 15-11 by the first television timeout of the set. And the Panthers, once again, dialed in — aided by a couple of aces — and secured a 25-19 set win. 2-0.

Pitt took the first point of the third set, too, with Penn State taking too many touches. A Cat Flood ace, the fifth of the night, pushed the early lead to 3-1. A Pitt wall stifled any attempt from the Nittany Lions to get some sort of offense going early in the set, and the Panthers stormed out to a 16-6 lead.

But Penn State fought back, forcing a double timeout from Pitt at 18-14. But, as was the case all night, Pitt was simply too good for Penn State. A Vazquez Gomez ace set up a match point at 24-17, and despite a serving ace on the next point, the Panthers pulled out a 25-18 third set win.

Game over. 21 straight sets and a win against No. 3 Penn State.

Pitt remains at home to finish off the non-conference slate, hosting East Carolina at the Fitzgerald Fieldhouse on Friday night. Marquette and UMBC are on the schedule over the weekend. ACC play begins next Friday against Clemson.