Top-Ranked Pitt Sweeps Penn State in Volleyball, Extends Unbeaten Run
In a thrilling top-three showdown, the No. 1 University of Pittsburgh women’s volleyball team swept No. 3 Penn State 3-0 in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Petersen Events Center. The victory extended Pitt’s undefeated season and marked the Nittany Lions' first loss of the season.
A Dominant Performance by Pitt
The Panthers fed off the energy of the 11,800 fans in attendance, setting the tone early with a dominant first set. Led by standout performances from Torrey Stafford and Rachel Fairbanks, Pitt quickly gained control. Stafford notched 17 kills, while Fairbanks contributed 42 assists to guide the Panthers' offense.
The first set saw Pitt jump out to a 6-1 lead, forcing an early timeout from Penn State. The Panthers maintained momentum throughout the set, winning 25-15, thanks to a strong hitting percentage of .429 compared to Penn State’s .118.
Penn State Struggles to Keep Up
Despite some early offensive pressure from Penn State’s Jess Mruzik and Caroline Jurevicius, the Nittany Lions couldn’t find a consistent rhythm. In the second set, Penn State took a brief 8-7 lead, but Pitt responded with a 6-2 run to regain control. Despite the Nittany Lions’ attempts to battle back, Pitt closed the set 25-19, taking a commanding 2-0 lead.
Pitt Seals the Sweep in Front of Record Crowd
In the third set, the Panthers maintained their intensity, jumping out to an early 7-2 lead. Penn State struggled to mount a comeback, despite a five-point rally late in the set. Stafford and Babcock were instrumental in closing out the match, and Valeria Vazquez Gomez secured the final point with a powerful swing, ending the set 25-18 and completing the sweep.
Penn State Bounces Back After Loss
Following the tough loss to Pitt, Penn State quickly regrouped, defeating James Madison and Yale to win the Penn State Classic. Led by strong performances from outside hitters Jess Mruzik and Camryn Hannah, the Nittany Lions showed resilience, particularly in breaking through JMU’s strong defense, which ranked fourth nationally in blocks per set.
In their match against Yale, libero Gillian Grimes showcased her defensive prowess, recording 27 digs to lead Penn State to a 3-1 victory. The Nittany Lions now shift their focus to Big Ten play, where they will face No. 6 Purdue in a highly anticipated matchup.
What's Next?
The clash between Pitt and Penn State lived up to its billing as a top-three matchup, with Pitt asserting its dominance and extending its undefeated streak. Despite the loss, Penn State rebounded with key wins and is poised for a strong Big Ten campaign. As both teams continue their seasons, fans can expect more exciting volleyball from these elite programs.







