PITTSBURGH – The No. 3 ranked Pitt volleyball team, currently boasting a strong record of 21-3 overall and 13-1 in the ACC, is set to embark on a crucial West Coast trip this weekend. This journey kicks off with a high-stakes match against No. 5 Stanford (22-3, 13-1 ACC) on Friday at 10 p.m. ET, a face-off that will determine the sole leader of the ACC. The Panthers will wrap up their California swing with a match against Cal on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, both of which will be available for streaming on ACCNX.
This upcoming clash with Stanford marks the sixth meeting between the two teams, with Pitt looking for a repeat of last season’s success, when Olivia Babcock led the charge with 17 kills against the Cardinal. Historically, Pitt has performed well against Cal, holding a 2-0 advantage in their series, having secured a decisive victory last year at home.
The Panthers recently experienced a standout weekend, achieving sweeping victories over Virginia Tech and Virginia, allowing every active player the opportunity to see court time. Notably, Haiti Tautua’a shone with a career-high 31 assists and added four blocks against the Cavaliers.
Babcock continues to etch her name into the program’s record books; she recently achieved a remarkable 45 kills in a single match against North Carolina, setting a new program record. This impressive total stands as the highest number recorded in NCAA Division I volleyball since 2019 and signifies her incredible talent on the court. This season alone, Babcock has reached 25 kills in a match seven times, including three times reaching over 30 kills.
Adding to the Panthers’ accolades, Babcock and setter Brooke Mosher were recognized for their outstanding performances, earning ACC Offensive Player of the Week and ACC Setter of the Week honors respectively. The duo collectively has garnered eight ACC weekly awards, further solidifying their status as key contributors to Pitt’s success.
Pitt’s success against ranked opponents further underlines their strength this season, recording eight victories against top 25 teams—placing them third nationally behind Texas and Nebraska. Notably, Mallorie Meyer has made significant contributions on defense, attaining a career-high 21 digs against North Carolina.
The Panthers have shown resilience this season, notably coming back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Louisville and overcoming a challenging five-set match against Notre Dame. Babcock’s consistent high-level performance has not only uplifted the team’s spirits but also contributed significantly to the Panthers’ standing in the competition.
With the team’s current momentum, they head into their California matches with optimism, ready to face high-profile opponents as they continue their pursuit of an ACC championship.