Pitt volleyball sweeps Kentucky, heads back to national semifinals for 4th straight year

Pitt outside hitter Valeria Vazquez Gomez’s raising her arms with the NCAA regional championship trophy was mirrored by many of the 9,525 spectators in the crowd Saturday at Petersen Events Center. The raucous throng was celebrating what has become a tradition for the Pitt women’s volleyball team.

The No. 1 ranked Panthers beat Kentucky, 25-22, 25-23, 25-17, to reach the national semifinals for the fourth straight season. While Pitt sophomore right-side hitter Olivia Babcock appreciated the crowd’s support, she was too busy celebrating the win to notice anything else.

“I didn’t notice the energy off the court because the energy on the court was so strong,” said Babcock, who was named Most Outstanding Player of the Pittsburgh Regional. “We’re so proud of each other. There’s so much love going around.”

This was the third-highest attendance figure in the history of Pitt’s program. The Panthers’ party included an appearance by former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was an invited guest. The Panthers (33-1) are 10-0 in games Roethlisberger attends.

“It did feel a little bit different,” Pitt coach Dan Fisher said. “It’s special to play in front of big crowds. I know it’s happening more and more. When you are celebrating, it’s nice to celebrate with a bigger crowd.”

Pitt got to enjoy the magic at home for four matches. However, the next round of the NCAA Tournament will find the Panthers in a hostile environment. Pitt will play the winner of Louisville and Stanford at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.

The Panthers don’t plan to let their previous three runs, which all ended in the semifinals, impact this season.

“I don’t think anyone is thinking that at all this year,” Babcock said. “We’re a different team. We’re a more experienced team. It’s clear when we step on the court, we want it. We’re not playing not to lose. We are playing to win.”

But it’s doubtful Pitt needed any good luck charm. Pitt made only nine attack errors and hit .333. Babcock finished with a team-high 13 kills.

The Wildcats (23-8) had a rough time getting into system on offense. Kentucky finished with a .167 hitting percentage and made 23 attack errors.

Kentucky didn’t make the second set easy on Pitt. The Wildcats had a 22-16 lead after a kill by Brooklyn DeLeye. Pitt got the serve back on a kill by Vazquez Gomez.

Mallorie Meyer would earn six consecutive service points as Pitt surged back to take the lead.

Kentucky coach Craig Skinner led the Wildcats to a championship in 2020. He said this was as good an environment as he has seen.

“It’s up there,” Skinner said. “Their crowd was into it and really got behind Pitt as they were making some runs. It’s another testament to the quality of the product that volleyball is putting on at the NCAA championships.”

The Panthers won the set on a service ace by Rachel Fairbanks.

Pitt and the Wildcats split the first 20 points in the first set. Pitt went ahead for good 11-10 when Bre Kelly and Babcock combined to block DeLeye.

DeLeye finished with a match-high 22 kills.

“I didn’t love how we played to end the first set,” Fisher said. “We’re weren’t playing aggressive volleyball. That seemed to bleed into the second set.”

But not into the final result, and the Panthers get another shot at bringing home a national title.