PITTSBURGH – In a remarkable accolade for their performance, all seven starters from the University of Pittsburgh volleyball team have been recognized as All-Conference players, as announced by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on Monday afternoon. This achievement marks the second consecutive year that seven Panthers have earned All-ACC honors.
Head coach Dan Fisher has been named the 2024 ACC Coach of the Year, a recognition that highlights his exceptional leadership, guiding Pitt to an impressive overall record of 29-1 and a conference record of 19-1. This is Fisher’s third ACC Coach of the Year award, and under his guidance, the Panthers have not only clinched their sixth ACC Championship but also earned the number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
Among the standout players is Olivia Babcock, who has been named the 2024 ACC Player of the Year. After being honored as ACC Freshman of the Year last season, Babcock has made history as only the second player in the program to receive this prestigious award, following Kayla Lund (2019, 2020). She leads the Pitt offense, averaging an impressive 5.87 points per set and has garnered two AVCA National Player of the Week awards along with three ACC Offensive Player of the Week honors this season. Babcock has also earned a spot on the All-ACC First Team for the second consecutive year and is a semifinalist for the AVCA National Player of the Year.
Rachel Fairbanks, named First Team All-ACC for the second consecutive year, is excelling with a career-best average of 10.33 assists per set, ranking fifth in program history. Her prowess contributes to Pitt achieving a nation-leading team hitting percentage of 0.341, while she also averages 2.22 digs per set. Fairbanks, the 2023 ACC Setter of the Year and an AVCA National Player of the Year Semifinalist, has accumulated 2,886 career assists alongside 742 digs and 276 kills.
Sophomore Torrey Stafford has emerged as a key player this season, being recognized as a First Team All-ACC performer and leading all Power Four outside hitters in hitting percentage at 0.377. Stafford averages 3.76 kills and 2.24 digs per set while contributing significantly as a six-rotation player.
Bre Kelley has made a remarkable comeback from a season-ending injury last year, earning her first First Team All-ACC selection. She ranks third in the conference with 1.53 blocks per set and boasts a remarkable hitting percentage of .514. Kelley recently earned the ACC Defensive Player of the Week honor after showcasing her skills with strong performances against Cal and Stanford.
Valeria Vazquez Gomez has consistently contributed across all facets of her game throughout her sixth season. She received Second Team All-ACC honors and has impressively reached the 1,000 kill and 1,000 dig milestone. Vazquez Gomez averages 2.10 kills per set, 1.98 digs per set, and holds a .251 hitting percentage, showcasing her leadership alongside Fairbanks in guiding the Panthers to their sixth ACC Championship.
Emmy Klika, a key player in her final season with the Panthers, has established herself as a reliable defender and passer. A two-time Second Team All-ACC player, she is recognized among the nation’s top passers and has been instrumental in helping Pitt maintain a nation-best opponent hitting percentage of 0.122.
This outstanding recognition reflects the strength and depth of the Pitt volleyball team, showcasing their collective talent and resilience throughout the season. The Panthers’ accomplishments inspire hope for an exciting postseason as they continue their pursuit of national success.
Overall, the program’s achievements not only highlight individual growth and success but also symbolize the commitment and teamwork necessary to excel at the highest levels of college volleyball.