GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – University of Pittsburgh outside hitter Mariah Bell and right-side hitter Nika Markovic were named this week’s ACC Volleyball Player and Freshman of the Week.
The duo helped the Panthers go 2-0 over the weekend, which featured a game-thrilling 3-2 upset over eighth-ranked North Carolina. The victory over the Tar Heels marked the third win this season for Pitt over a top 25 team (No. 25 Colorado State, No. 22 Michigan) and first against a top 10 team.
Bell, who earned Player of the Week recognition, tallied 40 kills, 21 digs, seven blocks, three aces and hit .258 over the weekend. The junior recorded back-to-back double-doubles posting a career-high 22 kills with 11 digs against NC State, and 18 kills, 10 digs against North Carolina. Bell has recorded six double-doubles thus far. She currently ranks in the top 10 in the ACC in three categories: service aces (4th), points (9th) and kills (10th).
Markovic was named ACC Volleyball Freshman of the Week. The Slovenia native who returned from injury earlier this month, was the Panthers’ top hitter against the No. 8 Tar Heels, recording a career-high 19 kills and a .268 hitting percentage. She recorded her first double-double of the season with 10 digs in the match. In the win over NC State, Markovic recorded a .216 hitting percentage with 10 kills, nine digs, two service aces and a block. At the conclusion of play, Markovic averaged 2.90 kills per set, 1.90 digs per set and a .244 hitting percentage.
News courtesy of ACC.
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