Volleyball: Panthers set to host Maryland, NC State in weekend matches

The Pitt women’s volleyball team begins to wrap up its first season in the ACC this weekend with two matches against conference opponents, taking on Maryland Friday and North Carolina State Sunday, in their final two matches of 2013 at the Fitzgerald Field House.

Pitt is currently on a two-game winning streak and has won three of its last four games. This is a major change for the Panthers, who had previously lost five consecutive matches before their recent winning streak. 

During that five-game losing streak, the Panthers lost to both Maryland and North Carolina State in close matches, and they are looking to redeem themselves at home.

“We lost to both of them in really close games, so we are looking for some vengeance,” redshirt freshman middle blocker Jenna Potts said. “It’ll be really tough matches.”

Despite the threatening weekend opponents, the Panthers (15-14, 7-9 ACC) hope to keep the momentum going from their two-game streak and finish their season on a strong note. 

In its first game of the weekend on Friday night, Pitt will face a Maryland team that has struggled with winning ACC conference games, especially on the road. The Terps (13-15, 5-11 ACC) have lost their last two games, which were both away. 

Maryland also has only captured one road win all season, going 1-8 away from College Park, Md.

The first meeting between the Panthers and the Terps took place a little more than three weeks ago, and it was a back-and-forth affair. Three of the four matches between the teams were decided by two points, and Pitt stole a match win.

Pitt played strong throughout those matches and mounted comebacks, but the Panthers struggled to maintain leads and eventually lost 3-1.

Pitt felt as if its first game against Maryland slipped away, which is similar to the team’s feelings about its first match against NC State (20-8, 11-5 ACC) this season.

When Pitt faced NC State in the teams’ first contest, the Panthers lost to the Wolfpack, 3-2. Although the first two matches were close in score, Pitt and NC State each won a match decisively before Pitt lost a close fifth set.

Pitt’s offense played great in this game, as well. Three Panthers finished with double-figure kills, and sophomore setter Jenna Jacobson finished with a double-double.

Offensively, the Panthers have performed well throughout the season, but they struggle to maintain a lead, which has cost them games. Head coach Dan Fisher is choosing to stick to his main lineup throughout these up-and-down games, which paid dividends in a five-set win against Boston College.

“We decided to stay with the team that’s been playing pretty good in the past couple of weeks, and it paid off,” Fisher said.

Pitt looks to continue to play well offensively in its next two games. Though the Panthers will rely on the entire team to hit well, Pitt hopes that junior outside hitter Jessica Wynn and redshirt freshman middle blocker KeKe Irby will continue to play well.

Fisher also would like to see both of his outside hitters — senior Monica Wignot and freshman Maria Genitsaridi — get past the struggles they endured against Boston College.

Pitt has played great on defense, thanks to junior libero Delaney Clesen, but will face hard-hitting players throughout the weekend. In their first match, Clesen and the Panthers will need to stop senior outside hitter Mary Cushman and junior middle blocker Adreene Elliott for Maryland.

Against NC State, Pitt will need to watch out for the Wolfpack’s best player, junior outside hitter Dariyan Hopper. Hopper leads her team in kills with 321.

“We’re looking forward to getting some wins,” Fisher said. “The girls are very motivated. We have won three of the last four, so we are feeling pretty good.”