The University of Pittsburgh volleyball team outlasted the Virginia Tech Hokies, 3-1, Wednesday evening at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va.
The Panthers [12-3, 3-0 ACC] opened the match with a dominating 25-12 victory, but fell to the Hokies [6-8, 1-2 ACC] 25-18 in set two. After trailing by six late in set three, Pitt rallied back to win 29-27 and finish off Virginia Tech with a 25-16 win in set four.
Redshirt freshman Stephanie Williams led the Panthers offensively with 19 kills and posted a double-double with 16 digs. Freshman Layne Van Buskirk added 12 kills and hit .421 in the match after committing just four times.
Pitt’s second double-double came from sophomore setter Kamalani Akeo who tallied 37 assists and a team-leading 18 digs.
Carrying the Panthers from the service line was junior Mariah Bell who posted six of Pitt’s nine aces, marking a career high.
As a team, Pitt recorded higher statistics in every major category besides blocks.
Set One: Pitt 25, Virginia Tech 12
Pitt dominated Virginia Tech in the opening points of the first set as the Panthers got out to a 9-3 lead which included five kills and two Bell aces, forcing the Hokies to use their first timeout.
Following the break, Virginia Tech cut its deficit to three points, but Pitt outscored the Hokies 13-3 through the final points of the set to defeat Virginia Tech 25-12.
Set Two: Pitt 18, Virginia Tech 25
The Panthers and Hokies began the second set with back and forth points and were tied 8-8, however Virginia Tech found a rhythm that saw six straight points and two Pitt timeouts. The Hokies gained a 14-8 advantage.
The Panthers trailed Virginia Tech through the remainder of the match and were only able to get things going following set point for the Hokies, 24-15. Pitt fought off three consecutive set points but it wasn’t enough as Virginia Tech won the equalizer 25-18.
Set Three: Pitt 29, Virginia Tech 27
In a set where the Panthers struggled early on, Pitt rallied back from a six point deficit to defeat the Hokies 29-27 in the third set to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
With the Panthers leading 11-9, the Hokies went on a five point run to pull ahead 14-11. Virginia Tech remained out in front and forced Pitt to call its second timeout as it extended its lead 18-13.
With Bell serving late in the set, down by six, the Panthers matched the deficit to tie the score 23-23. The two teams rallied back and forth multiple times before back to back kills by Van Buskirk and Williams would end the set.
Set Four: Pitt 25, Virginia Tech 16
Pitt’s momentum shifted into the fourth set as the Panthers opened with a 6-1 lead.
Following Virginia Tech’s first timeout, the Hokies scored three straight out of the break to pull back within two but Pitt worked to take a 17-11 advantage and force another timeout.
Virginia Tech was unable to make a comeback as the Panthers went on to win the set 25-16 and take the match 3-1.
Up Next
The Panthers return home to host the Virginia Cavaliers Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m.
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