In just her sophomore season, Pitt volleyball right side hitter Olivia Babcock has been named a finalist for the AVCA National Player of the Year Award.
She is one of four finalists, joining Brooklyn DeLeye of Kentucky, Sarah Franklin of Wisconsin and Lexi Rodriguez of Nebraska.
The winner will for the National Player of the Year Award will be announced on Friday, Dec. 20 during an awards ceremony at the AVCA Convention in Louisville, Ky.
Babcock has already earned some major awards this season, taking home the 2024 ACC Player of the Year, while being named the AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year and an AVCA East Coast Region Team honoree.
The Los Angeles, Calif. native has been a critical part to Pitt volleyball’s success over the past two seasons, as the Panthers advanced to their fourth-straight Final Four appearance.
Earning the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament this year, Pitt swept its first two opponents in Morehead State and Oklahoma before needing five sets to outlast Oregon. Against the Ducks, Babcock notched a career-high 31 kills, which was the most kills in Pitt program history within the NCAA Tournament. She also tied a career-high 12 digs.
In the Elite Eight at the Petersen Events Center, Babcock helped the Panthers sweep Kentucky with 13 kills, along with a .375 hitting percentage.
With the performance throughout the four regional games, Babcock was named the 2024 Pittsburgh Regional Tournament MVP for the second-straight season.
On the year, Babcock leads the Panthers, averaging 5.85 points per set, 4.59 kills per set, 1.85 digs per set and 0.65 aces per set.
Pitt takes on ACC foe Louisville in the NCAA Tournament semifinals on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. from the KFC Yum Center in downtown Louisville.
