Column: Remastered pitt women's volleyball team in position for shot at redemption

Pitt's Olivia Babcock and Bre Kelley put up a block during the Panthers' match with Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament in early December. Josh Rizzo/Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges

The Pitt women's volleyball team had to be remastered. After making a fourth consecutive trip to the national semifinals of the NCAA Division I Tournament last season, the Panthers were hit hard by graduation and the transfer portal. Most pressingly, Pitt had to find another outside hitter to support Olivia Babcock.

The Panthers' second hitting option, Torrey Stafford, transferred to Texas. The quarterback of Pitt's attack, All-American setter Rachel Fairbanks, graduated. It would have been natural for Pitt to take a step backward.

Instead, the Panthers knocked off Purdue in the quarterfinals in four sets Saturday at Petersen Events Center and to reach the final four for the fifth consecutive season. After Texas A&M sprung a stunning upset over previously-unbeaten Nebraska Sunday night, the Panthers should have a similar attitude as last year: title or bust.

Babcock, a junior right-side hitter who was the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year last season, believed they would be back. She always has faith in Fisher.

"Yes," said Babcock during the press conference following the Purdue match. "I would say that Fish is going to figure it out and he did."

Fisher interrupted to say "we" would figure it out. Babcock quickly amended her comment.

"We are going to figure it out together and we did," Babcock said.
​
Pitt did so while handling the increased expectations that come with sustained excellence.

Pitt has fallen in the semifinals in four consecutive seasons. The most painful crash out happened last year when the Panthers were the favorites to win. After being upset in the semifinals by host Louisville, the Panthers had to watch a Penn State team they swept earlier in the season win its eighth national title.

But Fisher was able to shake off the disappointment and reload his roster.

The Panthers replaced Fairbanks by bringing in transfer Brooke Mosher, who previously played at Illinois. Junior outsider hitter Blaire Bayless took a major step forward and finished second on the team with 310 kills. Freshman Marina Pezelj, a native of Monaco, provided a strong third hitting option with 174 kills.

Meeting championship expectations isn't just about being the most skilled. There is also plenty of luck that comes along with having banners raised. The pressure Pitt volleyball finds itself under may come from a collective desire for the Panthers to win a team title.
​
The school hasn't raised a championship banner since 1976, when Pitt football went undefeated and won its last title. The volleyball team moved through their region this year without hitting too much turbulence. Pitt swept UMBC, Michigan and Minnesota before taking down Purdue.

"The past few matches we've had make me feel more confident," Babcock said. "I feel like we aren't playing our best volleyball right now. We're able to find solutions in the time that it matters. I'm exciting to continue getting better and reach our level next week."

Texas A&M is the next step in the journey. Can Pitt break the curse or are the Aggies the team of destiny Pitt seems to run into every December.

The Panthers (30-4) showed more vulnerability, battling back from an 0-2 start to the season to reach a familiar place. With Nebraska out of the way, Pitt should be full of confidence it can finish the job.

​Will the Panthers deliver?

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be sent to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.