PITTSBURGH – In a remarkable achievement, all seven starters from the University of Pittsburgh volleyball team have been recognized as All-Conference, as announced by the ACC on Monday afternoon. This marks the second consecutive year that the Panthers have seen all their starters honored as All-ACC performers.
Head Coach Dan Fisher has been named the 2024 ACC Coach of the Year after guiding the team to an impressive 29-1 overall record, including a stellar 19-1 finish in conference play. This recognition marks Fisher’s third ACC Coach of the Year award, a testament to his successful leadership. Additionally, the Panthers secured the number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the program’s history and captured their sixth ACC Championship title.
Sophomore Olivia Babcock earned the title of 2024 ACC Player of the Year, adding to her accolades after having been named ACC Freshman of the Year last season. She is now the second player in program history to achieve this prestigious recognition, following Kayla Lund’s wins in 2019 and 2020. Babcock commands the Pitt offense, boasting an impressive average of 5.87 points per set, along with multiple awards including two AVCA National Player of the Week and three ACC Offensive Player of the Week honors this season. She also earned a spot on the All-ACC First Team for the second year in a row and has been recognized as a semifinalist for the AVCA National Player of the Year.
Rachel Fairbanks, who has been named First Team All-ACC for the second consecutive year, is achieving career highs with an average of 10.33 assists per set—ranking fifth in program history. Under her guidance, Pitt boasts the nation’s best team hitting percentage at 0.341. Fairbanks is known not only for her setting skills but also for her defensive contributions, averaging 2.22 digs per set. She currently holds 2,886 career assists, in addition to her impressive stats of 742 digs and 276 kills.
Sophomore breakout star Torrey Stafford, also a First Team All-ACC player, is leading the nation in hitting percentage among all Power Four outside hitters at 0.377. Stafford contributes 3.76 kills and 2.24 digs per set, showcasing her versatility as a six-rotation player.
After recovering from a season-ending injury last year, Bre Kelley has made a remarkable comeback. She earned her first selection to the First Team All-ACC and currently ranks third in the conference with an impressive 1.53 blocks per set while maintaining a hitting percentage of .514. Kelley was recognized as the ACC Defensive Player of the Week on October 21, achieving notable averages during key matches against Cal and Stanford.
Valeria Vazquez Gomez, in her sixth season, has proven her well-roundedness by earning Second Team All-ACC honors. She averages 2.10 kills and 1.98 digs per set, recently joining the elite 1,000 kill and 1,000 dig club. As a captain alongside Fairbanks, Vazquez Gomez has played a crucial role in leading the Panthers to another ACC Championship.
Emmy Klika, in her final season, has been a steady force in defense and serve receive. Recognized as a two-time Second Team All-ACC player, she is celebrated for her exceptional passing skills, helping the team limit opponents to a remarkable 0.122 hitting percentage, the best in the nation.
This season highlights not only the exceptional individual talents within the team but also the strength of their collective effort. As they move forward, there is great anticipation for the Panthers in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where they hope to capitalize on their remarkable season and further their program’s legacy.