Pitt volleyball returns home, sweeps Duquesne

After traveling a combined 1,275 miles to attend two tournaments, Pitt’s volleyball team… After traveling a combined 1,275 miles to attend two tournaments, Pitt’s volleyball team faced another road trip to contend with. Fortunately, it was just a cross-town trip to the comparatively familiar confines of Duquesne’s Palumbo Center. The Palumbo was close enough for the Panthers, as they swept the Dukes 3-0 in a hard-fought match.

“It’s always exciting to play in Pittsburgh. I know Duquesne isn’t exactly a home court, but we still had some home fans tonight and it’s nice to get excited to play at home this weekend,” senior libero Megan McGrane said.

Diana Andreyko was once again superb for the Panthers, tallying a team-high 22 kills. None were more meaningful than the two she scored at the end of the third game that clinched a 31-29 victory.

Senior outside hitter Gini Ullery was the only other Panther to record double-digit kills — she had 16 — while McGrane added 17 digs and a career-high eight assists. Junior setter Azadeh Boroumand dished out 44 assists of her own. Freshman Jessica Moses led the front line with eight blocks.

The Panthers won the first two matches with relative ease, 30-22 and 30-20. But Duquesne, looking for something to prove, battled in the third game until they held a 27-24 lead. At that point, Pitt coach Chris Beerman called a timeout.

“The main thing was to just stay relaxed, get back to 27,” Beerman said. “Get three points in a row. You don’t focus on freaking out what the score is. You don’t really look at the score. You look at what are you doing wrong.”

The Panthers fought back with four-straight points before Duquesne scored twice to make it 29-28. After a service error, Andreyko’s two kills finished the night. Despite only being a sophomore, she has stepped into a leadership role.

“We just had to step up and I think we got a little unfocused on those plays,” said the outside hitter. “We’ve got to finish the game and that was my job.”

These qualities have not gone unnoticed by Beerman.

“She gets better every game, and she’s on a curve that’s going to be outstanding,” he said. “She’s adjusting to her role as a leader as a sophomore, which is a big deal. She’s been playing great the last three and four games.”

Diana Wuebker led the Dukes with 14 kills, and teammate Laura Kastein accumulated 10 digs.

The Panthers finally play at the Fitzgerald Field House this weekend with a game against Maryland at 7 p.m. and two on Saturday vs. American at 1 p.m. and Miami (Ohio) at 7:30 p.m.