Pair of losses set back volleyball

Pitt volleyball had a bumpy road trip this past weekend, falling to Big East rivals… Pitt volleyball had a bumpy road trip this past weekend, falling to Big East rivals Cincinnati and No. 21 Louisville, respectively, on Saturday and Sunday.

Despite two brilliant performances by senior leader Diana Andreyko, who recorded her 10th and 11th double-doubles of the year, the Panthers (14-13, 7-6 Big East) managed to win only one game. They were defeated 3-0 by Cincinnati and 3-1 by Louisville.

The squad has now lost three consecutive matches after two wins against West Virginia and Marquette. This year the Panthers have been impressive at times, but inconsistencies have relegated them to the middle of the Big East pack. Louisville holds a perfect conference record at 12-0, while Cincinnati owns an 8-4 clip.

Pitt coach Chris Beerman could not be reached for comment.

The Panthers will finish their regular season with a two-game home stand, hosting Saint Louis and Rutgers this coming weekend.

Cincinnati 3, Pitt 0

In a match where Andreyko recorded her 10th double-double of the year with 14 kills and 12 digs, the Bearcats proved too strong.

In the opening game, Cincinnati dominated, holding the lead throughout. Pitt could not manage to tie, ultimately falling, 30-16. Andreyko and sophomore Meagan Dooley were bright spots, however, recording five kills apiece.

In the second game, the Panthers jumped out to a 6-1 advantage. As the game wore on, the Bearcats fought their way back to 24-22 lead.

Cincinnati took a timeout, before racing to a 30-23 triumph.

The third game had five ties, but only one lead change.

In the game’s latter stages, Pitt went on a 9-4 run sparked by a Stephanie Ross kill, bringing the game to a deadlock, 24-24.

The Bearcats held a one-point advantage at 26-25, but back-to-back kills catapulted them to a 30-26 victory, shutting out the Panthers for the ninth time this season.

Louisville 3, Pitt 1

For the second time in three days, Andreyko turned in 14 kills and 12 digs, albeit in a futile effort against the nationally ranked Louisville Cardinals.

In the opening game, the No. 21 Cardinals overwhelmed the Panthers, leading from wire to wire in a 30-18 win.

After a 7-7 tie in the second game, Pitt slipped behind the Cardinals, 15-12, prompting Beerman to call for a timeout.

After a couple of ties, Pitt finally took the lead, 25-24, on a service ace by junior Nicole Taurence.

Louisville drew the game to yet another tie, but after consecutive attack errors by the Cardinals, the Panthers closed out the game with a 30-28 win on a Kelly Campbell kill.

The third game had seven lead changes. This time, though, it was the Cardinals that came out on top.

An attack error gave Louisville a two-point lead at 22-20 and it wouldn’t look back. The Cardinals led by three the rest of the way, tallying a score of 30-27 to close out the game.

The match’s final contest proved to be less competitive than the second and third games, with only five ties and two lead changes.

Pitt was held to 11 kills in game No. 4, while blocking just two of the Cardinals’ attacks.

The game ended with a 30-20 victory for Louisville, which closed out its 12th consecutive Big East victory.