The Pitt volleyball team went 2-1 over the weekend to finish second in the Sheraton Zips… The Pitt volleyball team went 2-1 over the weekend to finish second in the Sheraton Zips invitational in Akron, Ohio. Individually, the Panthers broke personal and team records in their matches against No. 9 Penn State, University of Akron and American University. Collectively, Pitt finished a grueling road schedule with a 4-2 record heading into this weekend’s Pittsburgh Invitational.

No. 9 Penn State 3, Pitt 1

The Panthers suffered a four-game loss against archrival Penn State (7-0) on Friday night. After losing the first game of the match, 30-25, the Panthers rebounded in the second game to grab a 30-28 decision and tie the match at one game apiece.

But the Nittany Lions wore down the Panthers in the second and third games, hitting for a team percentage of .459 in game three and .389 in game four, securing victories of 30-22 and 30-25, respectively.

After the match, Pitt head coach Chris Beerman was ecstatic with the way his team performed against a top 10 team, regardless of the outcome.

“[Penn State’s] a good program; they were the national champions in 1999,” he said. “They’re a good measuring stick for us, and I think that, during and after the match, we were right where we wanted to be. They’re the No. 9 team in the country, and I really think that we were just a strong finish away from being able to compete on their level.”

Leading the way for the Panthers was junior outside hitter Gini Ullery. Ullery came into the match as the Big East Conference’s leader in kills, and her career-high 24 kills against the Nittany Lions certainly didn’t hurt her position atop the conference.

Ullery finished the weekend with 67 kills, 32 digs and three double-double performances. In honor of her effort, Ullery was named to the All-Tournament team, just one week after being named to the All-Tournament team at the Duke Invitational.

“Gini was awesome,” Beerman said. “PSU has two All-Americans on their team, and I thought she was the best player on the court in that match. After six matches, she’s the best player in the Big East, and she’s performing at the level that I knew she was capable of when I recruited her.”

Pitt 3, Akron 1

Pitt rebounded from its Friday night loss to defeat tournament host Akron 3-1, in its first match Saturday. The Panthers dominated Akron (2-4) in the first game, winning by a margin of 30-21. But the Zips came back to win the second match 30-27, before folding by nine-point margins in the final two matches.

Senior outside hitter Wendy Hatlestad’s 19 kills placed second for the Panthers and were good for a .450 hitting percentage. Her 48 kills and 27 digs over the weekend garnered All-Tournament Honors, and, like Ullery, it was Hatlestad’s second week in a row enjoying the distinction.

“Wendy’s been a star for us for four years, and she’s just playing really consistent and very relaxed,” Beerman said. “She’ll pop the big game once in a while, and she has the ability to dominate. I’ve really enjoyed coaching Wendy this season.”

Junior setter Lindsey Macke had 10 digs to go along with her 50 assists, and sophomore libero Megan McGrane’s 33 digs were the second most in a single game in Pitt history.

Pitt 3, American 0

Pitt secured the second-place finish with a sweep of American University (2-4) on Saturday evening.

After going the distance in a 32-30 victory, the Panthers had an easier time with the Eagles, winning the next two games 30-28 and 30-19. Junior hitter Megan Miller and senior hitter Sarah Rollman chipped in 11 putaways apiece, and McGrane’s 22 digs in the match gave her a total of 158 digs on the season. Her average of 7.18 digs per game is among the best in the Big East.

“Overall, we really played well this weekend,” Beerman said. “It was one of the better weekends I’ve had, since I’ve been here at Pitt, in terms of finishing off matches and playing really well back-to-back.”

Pitt will play its first home matches of the season this weekend, as it hosts the Pittsburgh Invitational Tournament at Fitzgerald Field House.

But the competition won’t get much easier for the Panthers. Dayton has most of its starters returning from last year, and Ball State and Robert Morris consistently finish among the top teams in their respective conferences. Nonetheless, Beerman is optimistic about his team’s prospects after a grueling, six-game road schedule.

“I feel really good, because we’ve beaten Duke, Marquette, Akron and American, and all four were picked in the top three of their respective conference preseason polls,” Beerman said. “And we were right there with Texas A’M and Penn State, two top 25 teams. Physically, we were right in those matches, and just a finish away from winning.

“I’m really excited about the team, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do at home.”

Pitt’s first-round matchup against Ball State is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.