Dan Fisher and Pitt volleyball have wasted no time solidifying the team for another Final Four run next season.
Fresh off a loss to Louisville in the Final Four, the fourth straight loss in the national semifinals for the Panthers, Pitt has added a commitment from Florida State transfer libero Emery Dupes. Dupes — a 5-foot-6 redshirt junior from Marietta, Ga. — announced her commitment Monday on Instagram.
It’s an addition at a position of need for the Panthers, as starting libero Emmy Klika is graduating. It’s a large hole to fill, and Dupes will compete with Dillyn Griffin and Mallorie Meyer to fill the void.
Dupes helped Florida State go 21-10 this season, earning an NCAA Tournament berth. She played in all but one set for the Seminoles, recording 166 digs (1.43 per set).
Dupes played 318 sets during her time at Florida State, dishing out 212 assists (.067 per set) and recording 872 digs (2.74 per set). She missed the entire 2023 season due to injury but returned to form this season.
She was a standout performer as a true freshman, earning All-Freshman honors in the conference. She led the Seminoles with 419 digs (3.88 per set).
Pitt is set to lose Klika, Rachel Fairbanks, Valeria Vazquez Gomez and Cat Flood this offseason, but there’s a strong core in place with Olivia Babcock, Torrey Stafford and Bre Kelley.
Pitt went 33-2 (19-1 ACC) and claimed the No. 1 overall ranking in the country through much of the season. The Panthers earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Final Four yet again but ultimately fell short against Louisville. It was a tough loss, but the Panthers are in a position to return.
And with additions like Dupes, Fisher and the coaching staff are setting the foundation to finally push through the Final Four wall.
