PITTSBURGH – In a remarkable achievement, all seven starters of the University of Pittsburgh’s volleyball team have been recognized as All-Conference performers, as announced by the ACC on Monday afternoon. This marks the second consecutive year that seven Panthers have received All-ACC honors.
Dan Fisher has been honored as the 2024 ACC Coach of the Year after guiding Pitt to an impressive overall record of 29-1 and a strong 19-1 finish in conference play. This accolade signifies Fisher’s third time earning the ACC Coach of the Year award. Under his leadership, the Panthers have secured the number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, alongside winning their sixth ACC Championship.
Olivia Babcock has distinguished herself as the 2024 ACC Player of the Year, making history as the second Panther in the program to receive this honor since Kayla Lund in 2019-2020. After earning the title of ACC Freshman of the Year last season, Babcock has excelled offensively, averaging 5.87 points per set. Her outstanding performance has earned her recognition as a two-time AVCA National Player of the Week and three-time ACC Offensive Player of the Week this season, and she is also a semifinalist for the AVCA National Player of the Year.
Rachel Fairbanks has been named to the All-ACC First Team for the second year in a row, showcasing her impressive stats with a career-high average of 10.33 assists per set. Currently holding the nation’s best team hitting percentage at 0.341, Fairbanks also averages 2.22 digs per set, contributing significantly to the team’s overall success. She was previously named the 2023 ACC Setter of the Year and is also a semifinalist for the AVCA National Player of the Year.
Sophomore standout Torrey Stafford has made a significant impact this season, earning a spot on the First Team All-ACC. Stafford ranks first in hitting percentage among all Power Four outside hitters at 0.377, alongside averaging 3.76 kills and 2.24 digs per set.
Bre Kelley has bounced back impressively from a season-ending injury last year, earning her first career All-ACC First Team selection. She currently ranks third in the conference with an average of 1.53 blocks per set while boasting an impressive hitting percentage of .514. Kelley also earned the ACC Defensive Player of the Week title for her exceptional performance against Cal and Stanford.
Valeria Vazquez Gomez has consistently contributed throughout her sixth season, achieving Second Team All-ACC honors while averaging 2.10 kills and 1.98 digs per set. Recently, she joined the esteemed 1,000 kill and 1,000 dig club and has been a captain alongside Fairbanks during the Panthers’ remarkable season.
Emmy Klika, in her final season, has been a reliable force in both defense and serve receive. As a two-time Second Team All-ACC player, Klika is recognized as one of the top passers nationwide and plays a pivotal role in helping Pitt maintain the lowest opponent hitting percentage in the country at 0.122.
These remarkable achievements not only highlight the exceptional talent within the Panthers’ program but also reflect the hard work and dedication of the entire team. With a strong postseason ahead, there’s a sense of optimism surrounding Pitt’s potential to continue their remarkable journey in NCAA volleyball.